alittlek’s space

I really love the Lan Su Chinese Gardens in downtown Portland. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and its authenticity brings me back to my Hong Kong roots. This month Lan Su celebrates its ten-year anniversary with ten free days of admission, of which Nico and I took full advantage of! Meander through the gardens, admire the architecture, listen to the nature, look for the fish under the bridge, and drop by the teahouse. It’s a visit bound to enlighten your senses!

For my birthday this year Nico surprised me with a long weekend to Hawaii. My good friends Kita and Paul are stationed there, and it was the best surprise I’d had in a long time. We had a great time, and Kita and Paul were gracious hosts. They even taught us how to surf! With Kita in the water instructing, and Paul on shore recording our efforts like a doting father, we had enough photos and video for many laughs to come.

While sitting on the plane headed out for the holidays, I passed the time by organizing my photos. I came across this video and thought I’d share. I get a big kick out of watching it. ;o)

After many weeks of discussion and thought and search, I have found Romeo. Yes, Romeo is my new Birman cat I adopted from the Oregon Humane Society. He’s ten years old, has the sweetest demeanor, and makes a great companion. He loves to be brushed and pet, to the point where he’ll start to drool. He purrs a LOT, headbutts, kneads, and occasionally gives love bites. And he seduces anyone and anything with his beautiful blue/grey eyes. You’ll find him relaxed with one paw stretched out, and a constant swoosh in his tail. He talks sometimes, but doesn’t meow. He doesn’t like loud noises, and hides under the couch to feel safe. But you can slide him out, and across the floor, and he doesn’t even complain. He just rolls with it.

He’s a keeper!

Some of you have asked me – or are probably wondering and afraid to ask me – what do I do with my time? Sometimes I wonder myself, but in a nutshell I surf the internet…a lot…., clean house, raise chickens, workout, study Dutch, and recently, take pottery classes! Not only does pottery require patience, skill and a little humor, it can be extremely time-consuming. I’ve spent a lot of hours in the studio this past week and 4 hours go by like you wouldn’t believe! Anyway, I was there yesterday to trim some pieces, and out from the kiln came my very FIRST piece! After throwing, trimming, [first] firing, and glazing (and not breaking it along the way..) it’s complete! I couldn’t be happier.

Do I sense a career move in the future?