Category: Slice of Life

End of Middle School

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"End is Near" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/210 sec, ISO200
 “End is Near” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today’s photo is of Koa leaving the band hall. It’s the last time I will be picking him up from middle school so it was a little sad. He’ll be moving on to high school next year which means both our sons will be in high school, although they are going to different schools. (Bay’s IB Program is only offered at a different campus in our school district)

Koa’s middle school band career has been a huge part of his life, and one that we think made an incredibly positive impact. We’re so fortunate that the middle school has one of the best band programs (if not the best) in the state. They put in a ton of work and the fruits of their efforts are realized in amazing performances, recognition, and awards. It’s really kind of odd to think that a teacher and school program could change someone’s life, but I think it really has for Koa. I’m so happy and proud.

Enjoy one of the tunes from last night’s final performance (Koa is banging away on the djembe):

Tomorrow is the last day of school, but he’ll be going directly to an after-school party so today was the last time I will pick him up from middle school. Sad…

I hope you had a good day!

またね～

Solo Again

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"At the Movies" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: Motorola Moto G (4), 3.64mm, f/2, 1/15 sec, ISO1250
 “At the Movies” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは

This evening after dinner I decided to use my MoviePass to see Solo: A Star Wars Story again. I liked it even better the second time! It’s such a fun movie – I was grinning ear-to-ear almost the whole movie. Although I like all the characters, I think that Woody Harrelson’s Beckett was particularly outstanding. He was so cool in the standoff at Dryden Vos’ ship at the end of the movie. And he had the funniest line in the film (“I hurt my thumbs!”)

The benefit of the second screening is that you get to see all the cool Star Wars references and easter eggs. I loved the crystal skulls, and also hearing the Imperial theme at the recruiting area. Fun movie.

I hope you had a nice Monday!

またね～

Sunday Activities

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"Growing" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec, ISO800
 “Growing” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going? Have a nice Sunday?

Mine was pretty good. Relaxing but got a lot of stuff done.

The first was to go driving with Bay. He’s working towards his driver’s license and we still need a few more hours on the road. This morning we went on the freeway for a bit, then road driving. He’s getting comfortable driving, and I’m getting more comfortable sitting in the passenger seat! 😀

Back at home, I helped Bay cook a deluxe mac n cheese casserole, then I did some motorcycle maintenance.

I haven’t bled the brakes on my BMW F650 GS in a while, and the fluid was looking pretty dark and yucky. Years ago, I bought some “Speed bleeders” which replace the stock brake bleeding ports, and they turn a two-person job into an easy one-person job. Well worth the $20 or so I paid for them. Anyways, a bottle of DOT 4 brake fluid is only $7 so it’s a cheap and easy job that will save a ton of money vs taking it to the shop.

Next, it was on to some more domestic chores, including washing all the bedding, washing and folding two large loads of clothes, and then cleaning up the bedroom floor to make room for the robotic vacuum. I love that little robot! It’s amazing how much dust and pet hair it picks up. Stunning, and kind of gross to know how much is constantly produced. 😨

Now it’s time to read and relax in our fresh bed sheets. What a great feeling!

Today’s photo is one I took on our deck. There are some tiny sprouts that have come up in our basil pot. I think these are scotch bonnet sprouts that I had planted from seed that Mariko was unaware of when she planted her basil into the same pot. I wonder what I should do with these? Oh well, I’ll figure something out. 😄

おやすみ！