a quick update

I haven't added to this blog in a while. I was sick with the flu/fever and body aches last week and it took me several days to recover. After that I kind of just lost interest in writing, so taken some time off. Most days I'm doing pretty good. Health and progression seem to be stable. My mental state is changing though, seems that at times especially when I'm tired I get a little depressed. I'm finding it and realizing that mostly it's my own state of my mind. I'm the only one that can be positive and make the most of each day.

just for fun

This is something I wrote over two years ago. I thought perhaps "charmed one" would like it.

Eulogy for Emeron
I remember when I first met Emeron. It was just about 3 years ago at the Kahala Petland. Emeron was just a no-name goldfish at the time, swimming in a tank with hundreds of her bothers and sisters. My mom and I were looking for some goldfish to populate our new 10 gallon aquarium. Three goldfish impressed us that day and were taken home. As soon as the three fish were released in our new tank, they began to explore the plants, rocks and tree stump in the tank. Within a few hours my mother had named the fish, the larger of the three was pure orange and given the name Natalia, the medium sized fish was orange and black and called Botchi, and the smallest was orange and white named Emeron.
We were looking for something special in a goldfish, we found it in Emeron. Of the three, Emeron, was clearly the leader, showing the others where to find algae and scraps of leftover flake food. Even though she was the smallest, she always got the most food at feeding time and could swim faster than her tank mates. Emeron was a peaceful and graceful swimmer. I could watch her swim back and forth the tank for hours at a time. Even at rest, her fins gently swayed in the currents. When I put my face against the glass the others would get scared and hide, not Emeron, she would swim right up to the glass and wag her tail at me, as if saying, “yes, let’s play!” Her eyes were wide and bright, and I really think she could see me through the glass. Perhaps she even recognized me. She was always ready to say hello. If Emeron were a person, she’d be one of my best friends, I thought.
I remember the day Emeron got sick and died. I had not cleaned the water in the tank for quite a while and the filter wasn’t working correctly. The water quality had gone bad and Emeron must have caught some disease. She started to swim sluggishly and her once bright eyes began to cloud. In a day she was gone, and I watched her go down the drain of the toilet. It was a sad day. Mom cried a bit and I know Botchi and Natalia were confused without their leader and friend. I was just stunned. I had lost my best goldfish friend.
I miss Emeron and often think of her when I clean the fish tank. I learned a few things from her that I could not learn from anyone else. I learned that you can be happy even in a 10 gallon tank and that flake food tastes pretty good. That you should always greet others cheerfully, bright eyed and with a smile. I learned that you should swim through life with grace, strength and speed. Good-Bye Emeron, swim free in the fish tank of Heaven.

a four-legged visitor

My friend Kula came to visit me last Friday.  As soon as he got in the apartment and was let out of his carry cage, he quickly investigated every nook and cranny.  He had a drink of water and then jumped up on my bed.  He Pretty much stayed with me on the bed for the rest of his visit.  He was such a friendly and well mannered visitor.  Kula did not talk my ear off or expect me to carry on a conversation.  He was content just to be there with me. Every so often he would crawl closer to me so I could reach him and give him a scratch, or some love.  He was willing to share kisses with me, even through the mask on my face.  Part of the time I think he was so relaxed that he dozed off. Thank You Kula for making my day special!

a family photo

I thought I would try to post a photograph.  This is a recent photograph when my parents were here to visit in the spring.  They stayed in an apartment in Waikiki for one week.  It was a lovely visit with them.  They are so supportive and loving.  I'm very lucky to have a strong family bond. Perhaps it is because we have a very small family, basically just my mother, father and myself.  I was the only child as many of you know.  Yes, I was spoiled. I do have a half-sister from my mother's first marriage living in Atlanta.  We are close now, but didn't like each other too much when we were growing up. Funny thing is my father and my mother were both single child families as well.  And now, Mineko and I just have one.  Perhaps it's part of the genetic makeup.  Enjoy the photo I hope it comes across correctly.

Father's Day

Father's day is coming soon.  I was watching NBC dateline last night and they were interviewing Chris rock, Adam Shandler and a few other comedians that are in the new movie "Grown-Ups".  The interviewer asked what it's like to be a father, or a good father.  Chris rock answered that he believes 80% of being a good father is just be there.  I tend to agree with him.  I think that one of the most important things a father can do is just spend time with his children.  Whether it's quality time, or quantity...  Just be with your children.  It doesn't have to be time playing a piano, teaching or correcting.  Just be there.  I also believe there is no manual for parenting.  It just happens and you have to do your best.  I hope that my son, Christopher, realizes that I love him and that I've tried to be the best father that I can be.  If I follow Chris rock's 80% rule, I think I've done pretty good so far.

a rough few days

I haven't been posting that often, just can't think of anything clever to say or have any need to be verbal.  I also haven't been feeling well lately, without going into too much detail it's my usual constipation issues.  When that part of the body is not working well it just takes me down physically and mentally.  I'm feeling much better today and think that things will get back to normal soon.  I'm looking forward to watching basketball today.  The finals are always amazing and athletic ability of the basketball players is just so fantastic to watch.