old friends

Gardena High classmates finally caught me for the first sighting in 36 years! It was painless.

 

 

 Highly successful JAs (Japanese-Americans) who are remarkably faithful to their community - maintaining ties to jr high teachers - even after studying back east where some settled, such as Karen above. Doug turned out to be a Christian home-schooler!

Paul saved the city of Gardena from bankruptcy, serving as mayor, but turning down a bid for national politics; Helen a mild social activist, as well as attorney - both from elementary school days.

Jane, whose perfectly designed, Malibu home hosted the event cooked all the familiar dishes - country-style sushi, teriyaki chicken wings, wontons, even subs from hometown favorite, Giuliano's. Jr and High school had some of the best spreads. Felt great to be welcomed with a plate and pair of ohashi (chopsticks).

The tail end of a coherent, sansei (3rd generation) JA culture, they were somewhat shielded from social chaos - divorce, drugs, AIDs - though not entirely. Ignoring the world while succeeding in it, they spoke all evening of being protected in Gardena.One whitey among them!  Curiously, the greatest affection seemed among fellow elementary students, which, curiously, is the class identity individuals in Japan track, with kindergarten reunions. Eager for contact, no one seemed to mind that I'd basically blown them off for 3.5 decades.

My parents coming from a small Japanese fishing village put me somewhat at odds with the above, probably explaining my trajectory - my best friends were non-Japanese throughout school, although JAs tend to marry outside their ethnicity, compared to other Asians - 1/2 of the group, in fact - so the above experience was unique.

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Michael got a wonderfully decorated card from a fellow Lausanner, Sofi:

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Jeffrey and Mary in high school!

An xmas visit to the Bay Area allowed a layover to the Lancasters, whom we first met in Tokyo, where Jeffrey was born.

Suzuki cello and violin.

 

Homeschooled until recently, the older ones play and actually enjoy the younger. Seeing them is always flash forward for us, where our boys will be before we blink an eye.

Jack Recital Suzuki Violin Book 1

Our little Jack achieved a milestone, performing a solo violin recital upon completion of Suzuki Book One. Although it's encouraging to note progress,

for us, Jack's journey began in a Sichuan orphanage, so our hearts are overflowing.

Jack's night, but also performed a duet with Michael, whose love of limelight can blind at times.

Luke!

 

The program was varied with solo work, violin and piano duets. I personally really enjoy the Lausanne, non-Suzuki pieces accompanied by Jacob Machek - violin teacher's husband - who interpreted "China Jack Time" along Joplin lines, followed by "La Pelle Fromage."  

Musically, the children have surpassed their parents.

Birthday

For Carolyn's birthday, we finally made it to This Old Place in Agoura, something out of the wild west.

Acquiring a real chef 3 years ago, the food was great but the atmosphere is literally out-of-this-world. Only 5 tables - high-backed booths - and a bar with assigned time slots. Honest grub type of place.

 

 

Photos fail to deliver, but we thoroughly enjoyed every minute, except maybe the boys who, oddly enough, didn't seem to access it - not their fantasy maybe. Hard to find authentic joints, but this was something else. Our waitress, who grew up nearby in the canyon, gave us the oral history. 

Too pricy for haunt status - the places that make an entire town feel homey - it sure was a very pleasant surprise.

Aromas

is farm country south of Santa Cruz next door to Watsonville's Driscoll Farms, where suspicious locals say, "the one thing you never put in your mouth is a California strawberry" - also home to Uncle David & Aunt Stephanie, where we spent part of Christmas, letting the boys become range-free.

Stephanie raises 30 hens - Japanese Silkies 

 and French Maransknown for their chocolate eggs

mythologized by being OO7's personal favorite. Green Eggs and Ham was no Seuss hallucination!

This guinea was mesmerizing.  Michael keeps talking about raising chickens and pumpkins, so we'll see.

We ferried onto Fisherman's Wharf from Ev's area, riding the cable car to the interesting museum at the top - a first, but felt like cogwheel train Switzerland.

Golden Gate in the background, barely visible on this window of sunshine between hard rains before and after.

The art deco beauty. Photo compliments Michael. Bridges are key focal points in Japanese gardens which, in a way, characterizes bay area topography. I recall my parents driving us back and forth repeatedly over virtually every bridge we crossed on roadtrips, including above.

The gifts were mercifully streamlined, mostly due to the economy. Michael's Starry Night turned into personal gifts based on Carolyn's BHCA art projects:

I no longer regretted buying the train, as the boys were at it hard every moment.
Michael got a bike upgrade and Jack hasn't learned to dislike hand me downs yet.

 

 

Michael made us take a family hike in our backyard, to a 360 degree vista - complete with picnic!

 

Had a second Xmas with Elle, returning from PA. The drawing book hit the bull's eye.

We've kept Santa Claus alive - not just the historical St Nicholas - but recouping fantasy in an age of disbelief; the historicity of myth, if you will. In that vein, Tolkien produced annual pictures and letters from Santa for his children.

 Epiphany tomorrow, the 12th day of Christmas - marking the wise men - gentiles - who returned to their homes, proclaiming good news.