Baby Shower

In response to my friends' request, I finally did my baby shower, 2 weeks before my due date. Thankfully, the baby was still inside of me. Our good friend offered their beautiful apartment in downtown NY. The theme, if name any, is a high tea party. We made tea sandwich (cream cheese & cucumber / curry flavored egg sandwich). I selected six kinds of loose tea for the guests to make their own cup of tea. Our generous friends also contributed a fine selection of wine.

I got 2 handsome sidekicks Rubin and August (the host family's sons) for the gift opening.

There was no games like a traditional shower. Instead, we asked the guests to do drawings on the onesies. I can't wait to have my baby wear each one of them : )

Baby Tora

1-yr-old baby Tora, a son of my great friend, visited our W'burg apartment. Our shiny magazine rack got his attention. He seemed to want to get inside. I'd be happy if my baby loves to stay in magazine rack for hours...

Kimono Gallery in Wabasha, MN

My mother-in-law introduced this interesting gallery that displays Japanese vintage kimono (kee-mo-no). The Wind Whisper West gallery is in a little town of Wabasha, 2-hour drive away from the Twin Cities along Mississippi river. Who would imagine you could find over 3,000 antique kimono from Japan. Richard, the owner, was stationed in Japan during WWII. He then became an art dealer, and in the last five years he's been collecting old kimono from Japan. Why in Washaba? Because his wife (who by the way is not from Japan) and her family are from this town. He was very interesting and told me lots of stories to the unusual Japanese visitor.

I was unable to take many photos due to the gallery's policy. But Richard let me take a few of my favorite piece. Most of the pieces displayed here are wedding kimono. Some with a very rare design and print, some are the work of famous Japanese designers like Hanae Mori and Yoji Yamamoto.



This kimono uses the color palette inspired by Shintoism. Bright yet subtle color scheme is marvelously placed in such charming details.

On the way home, we had a lunch at the Harbor View Cafe in the town of Pepin, WI. They were very nice and welcoming even though it was just the time they were closing.

A charming interior.

I ordered the catfish with hot salsa. It was really good. But a bit too much flavor in sauce—against my expectation for a light fish meal.

Braised Pork Shank was excellent.

Wind Whipser West - Kimono Gallery
http://www.windwhisperwest.com/Home.html

Lovin' It!

My new hair salon uses Malin+Goetz's shampoo. According to the stylist, many of organic products are not moisturizing enough for Asian hairs—but Malin+Goetz is an exception. So I walked in to miomia, a cosmetic/body care store who carries their products. Among tons of hair products, the owner and my friend Katie actually recommended me this series called CUTLER, which she loves and uses herself. They are cheaper than Malin+Goetz and very hydrating. I've never found shampoo with such long-lasting scent. It is indeed very hydrating, too. I use the intensive conditioner and extra gentle shampoo, which smells a bit stronger than the regular ones. My relative who was staying with us noticed the smell after I took a shower, fell in love with the scent and became a fan of CUTLER. I highly recommend this product, especially to Asian girls with thick, dry hair.

Another favorite of mine from this store is the Marvis toothpaste. Read the post on this.

Visit miomia online shop

Keeping Cut Flower Fresh

Here's a tip to keep cut flower fresh from the flower vender at the Union Square farmer's market:

Start with a clean vase: Sterilize your vase prior to use. The build up of bacteria can cause your flowers to breakdown much faster than they may naturally.

Clean foliage from stems that will be submerged in water. Ethylene gas submitted from foliage, as it break down in water, can cause flower heads to wilt.

Rinse vase with cool to lukewarm water. Flowers, like people, tend to absorb water more effectively if it is not ice cold.

Cut stem ends at an angle, 1/4" to 1/2" from the bottom, and immediately submerge in water. An angled cut allows for more surface area from which flowers may drink. Repeat entire process every 2-3 days.

Along with the basics, adding a couple drops of bleach and some 7UP or Sprite can help to keep your field cut flowers brighter and longer. Keep in mind that your flowers can be adversely affected by heat, by cold, by wind and by smoke.

Block Music Party

One of the things I love about Brooklyn is that you can find really talented people play for free. This was International Day of Music and there were couple block parties in my neighborhood. This one was right outside the live bar that always feature really good bands and DJ. All four groups features different types of musics from around the world.

In this hood, it's not just hipsters or young people who enjoy such an event. This Puerto Rican guy from around my apartment passed by on his signature bicycle with a big horn.

Miko, the Wrestler

Another work event, but it's not a wrestling thing. It's an interactive award ceremony that my company hosts. The theme this year was somehow Mexican wrestling. We set up a real wrestling ring as a stage. After the event, I took some photos with the wrestler people. I was wearing boots, which fits perfectly! "Una Mas!" My poor Spanish somehow worked...

This Sumo wrestler appeared at the end of the ceremony. He was a real champion two years ago, but now seems too heavy and people thought he wouldn't make it to go on the ring.

See the wrestling with Sumo wrestler and Mexican wrestler.

Busy Work Week

Every time people ask me what I do for living, I find it difficult to explain. They give me 'what is that about...' when I tell them it's an non-profit organization for advertising and the conversation fades out. I an Education Director, working for student and teachers in advertising and graphic design programs, orchestrating events and programs for them.

Last week was my busiest week in a year. Event everyday. Portfolio review where students get feedback from industry creatives; students portfolio exhibition; speaker series; presentation competition; and award ceremony for students. Barely had time to eat lunch or hydrating myself and every night is a party. Standing all day and running around was not for me who's past 30 and hasn't been to a gym for.. ever.

Sweet White Day

In the hotel in Maui where I was staying for a business trip. When I walked into my room, I saw a beautiful white flower on a counter. I first thought it was a gift to our judges (my work was hosting a judging for advertising). Yet, it was a bit strange since we had been there for couple nights then. I took a better look at the card; it said "Westin Maui". First I thought it said "Welcome Maui" which made me think that was for judges. Think well... Oh it is White Day! White Day is probably a Japanese invention. Boys respond to the girls who confessed their love to the boys on St. Valentine's Day. My boyfriend found out where I was staying and arranged a flower delivery. He did the same before when I was staying at a hotel in NY, surprising me with white tulips. I wish I could have taken it with me from Hawaii.

Ugly Smell

Setting many other things I want to post on aside, one thing has been bothering me and I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed: Perfume.

This perfume smells like a yellow cab, car refresher swinging from the rear view mirror, bubble gum, floor cleaner from dollar stores. I detect the smell at least once a day; on the street, in the train, which makes me feel nauseous. Call me racist but a certain type (race) of men seem to like it.

UNICLOCK

My Bowl and Plant

My friend's birthday. Very talented Graphic Designer from Brazil. We decided to give him a plant that grows from a rock. My boyfriend picked it from a store while I was away for a business trip, and he picked a bowl I made. It actually fit perfectly. This summery bowl matches the plant nicely. Thanks to the friend who is keeping it in his nice apartment!

Bulldog Skin

If someone is mean to you or something gets you down, watch this clip.

Click here to see the movie on YouTube.

Lettuce Battle

Our recent argument over a very trivial issue over lettuce in sandwich. Characters: Miko (me) & Man (my boyfriend).

Man bought a bagel with cream cheese and cucumber for himself and a roll sandwich with lettuce, tomato, egg, ham, cheese for Miko. Miko found these little pieces of iceberg lettuce in this sandwich so incredibly tasty, an exquisite experience you'd never expect from a deli sandwich. It doesn't really have a taste but its texture and freshness made this sandwich perfect. Happy Miko offered a bite to Man. As Man's big mouth started to open, Miko gave a weird look, which she did unconsciously. When it covered the corner of sandwich where all the lettuce was stuck, Miko exclaimed, "Wait!" His teeth was still half into the roll, but Miko let him bite in. She thought it was childish of her to stop him at that point just for lettuce. Fresh lettuce went in his mouth.

To Miko's explanation for her shout, Man started to get indignant: "You offered it. Why are you complaining? I don't even care for the lettuce!" Miko knew she did offer but somehow she didn't expect Man would eat up the lettuce. While Miko admitted her reaction being somehow unreasonable, but to her, there was a reason. It was a temporary moment she got distracted by this disappointment, and now time to go see a movie. Meanwhile, Man couldn't get over the incident, staying angry the rest of the day and making fun of Miko's reaction. Miko still doesn't understand why he needed to be so angry. It was just lettuce. But it was really good lettuce.

Incense Time

Getting sort of tired of super expensive aromatic candles, I've been enjoying burning incense in the apartment. Clean up the house and light the incense, a short one so that it won't get too smoky. It's kind of relaxing. Since I'm too lazy to clean the little incense holder with ashes all around, I made my own incense burner. It has a cover with holes so the smoke slowly diffuses out and makes it safer to leave the incense burning. Just like perfume, incenses smell differently at different places. I bought a nice set of woody-smell incenses in Japan. They were smelling so fresh and almost sweet in the store but not in my apartment. My search for the perfect incense goes on....

Sweetest Card

The Polish co-worker I talked about in the last post brought me a wonderful gift from her 8-yr daughter. It's a pink birthday card with lots of drawing in blue ballpoint pen and decoration with white-out. The bunny on the front says, "You Go Girl" with lots of heart mark. Inside is her poem.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
My mom says your nice
so I like you too.

Another bunny says, "your my kind of girl." I like it.

Peculiar Co-worker

"Maiko, are you getting fucked?" My co-worker, a Polish accounting lady, threw me this shocking question in the middle of the office. I'm known for being inappropriate and maniac among my co-workers. But now, I salute her for winning the Queen of Inappropriateness title.

Little Miko Hits 30s!

My boyfriend and I were supposed to meet some friends at Double Happiness, a basement bar in Chinatown. Walking down the stairs, I heard music—a bit unusual selection for this bar. "What's this music tonight?" I said. Then I saw a huge group of people standing with corn hats in silhouette. I whispered, "Shoot." Someone is having a big party or something." SURPRISE!!" Hell ya. They got me, totally. It took me a while to look at everyone's face and recognize the party was for me.

It was such a wonderful feeling, and somehow weird, to see my friends, from different network. My dearest boyfriend, with lots of help from other friends, planned the whole thing. I had no idea an e-vite with my poorly-cropped headshot was being sent to the world. The best party ever, with the best dumpling—200 pieces. Another surprise was the cake from our local spanish bakery La Villita (I blogged about this place earlier). A plastic sexy naked girl on a gigantic pink cake said "Happy 30th Little Miko."

I even had my private DJ, a very talented one (in the right pic looking at me like I'm an idiot.) I danced all night long. I got lots of presents. And all was thanks to my boyfriend who'd done such a great job while dealing with his own busy work schedule. Perhaps, half of the crowds were there not only to celebrate my b-day but because he's very popular. Can't thank enough to the best boyfriend.

Some guy said, "Are you the B-day girl? Celebrating your 21st?" I guess it's a good thing people thought it was my 21st birthday. I will keep looking young. But I am a lady. Do not fuck around with Little Miko. I have many good friends to protect me too.

Beby Baby Baby

My beloved friends hosted their 2-year son's birthday party. Mr. Rubin Miller is one of the most hansom babies I've ever seen. Beautiful blue eyes and long eyelashes he got from his dad, and perfectly curled up hair. It makes all the W'burg hipsters who try to maintain naturally-buffy hair seem obsolate and lame. This is a natural-born cuty. There were about 5 babies and they all entertained me. When you hit the corner of 30 and with a little motherhood in mind, I feel like having one myself. When did it start to be so hard to have a child?

My New Red Shoes

A day before my business trip to Florida, I found a lovely pair of red shoes at a boutique in Bedford. Made in Brazil. The sole is rubber, which is actually better than slippery wood. Instantly, I fell in love. I got many compliment from people during the trip. I enjoyed—though they were not as smooth and soft as the pair I tried. You shouldn’t feel any obligation to give a compliment even if you see wearing them, but you’re totally welcome to if you find them cute.