Continuing the blog

 Just today I was thinking how grounding it is to look at the blog books and remember all those details. I think I should resume it.

Willow is now 12 and in 6th grade at Rawlinson Middle School. Ariel is 15 and in 10th grade at Clark High School. We are still in the same house. We have cats Dayla, Angeline, Cleo, and Astro Jetson. Our dog is Millie. Her boyfriend down the street is Diesel.

I've been working at University Hospital in various departments (currently hematology - my favorite) for almost 10 years. Some full time, but mostly PRN for the schedule flexibility. I have many friends there and have gotten great in-depth experience. But I am tired of the traffic, parking garage, and stressful rushed workload. So I probably will not resign there, but I will start a new PRN job at the Boerne Methodist ER on Dec. 30th. I also have applied for various adjunct teaching positions since I finished my master's. I'm hoping to get in at one of the Alamo Colleges community colleges or maybe UTSA. 

Jeff just got back from a nice trip to Japan (Akita, Tokyo area). He visited our old neighborhood (Yokota, Akishima) and went to Mitake-san. I hope to go again soon and take Willow.

I've got the travel bug, as always, and am going to Mexico next week. I fly to Queretaro, spend a few nights at a hostel, then drive to Ixmiquilpan, then on to the Grutas de Tolantongas. The grutas are up in the mountains, have a warm turquoise river, and warm soaking pools on the hillside. I can't wait to see it. It should be very relaxing.

Thanks for listening, Blog.

Milliechita after her dental cleaning

Willow and Angie reading a teen magazine

at the Fredericksburg Christmas tree

on our way to Fredericksburg

Chinese New Year (FCC Austin)

Willow and I went to Austin for this family event. We stayed in a hotel near it and relaxed. It was fun to meet other families with children from China. Our favorite part was the silent auction because we got a couple baskets full of beauty and spa items. The next day we went to Kinokuniya, the sushi train, the 99 Ranch grocery, Daiso, and Asahi Japanese market. It was a nice outing for just Willow and me.

Angeline Jones

Progreso!

Ofelia

Cleo

Cleo

Nene-chan

 She made it to 21 years. We loved her so much. I'm having trouble loading photos from my laptop, so that's one reason I don't post so much. It was Nene's time. I had one last morning coffee with her, then Willow and I left for our Japan trip. The next day we were in San Francisco, and Jeff called. We stopped in Chinatown just then. The next day we were off to Japan.

Now it is August. And we just brought home Ofelia-chan. Who looks so much like Nene.

Astro Jetson

Adopted December 23 I think from Kendall county animal shelter. He was so ready to come home and join Cleo. 

Ralph and Cleo

Ralphie peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday before last. (October 26th)

Saturday October 29th we found Cleo waiting for us at Kendall County Animal Shelter in Boerne. 

July and june

Shen Yun

 Willow and I saw Shen Yun at the Tobin Center!

Ariel's stats

 At the doctor she was 81 pounds and 4 feet 10 inches.  She saw Dr. Patricia Harkins, her development pediatrician.

She has a friend (sort of) at the Kinderpark in Boerne named Lindsey.  Lindsey is 26, but looks younger.  She has special needs like Ariel.  She was adopted from very far south Vietnam.  I've met her parents there at the playground.  She is quiet, and nice to talk with.

Random photos

I could not see the photo thumbnail, so I randomly picked some from the last couple days:

No, we're not to blame!  Okay, sometimes things do go wrong.  Maybe I should read this.

We made Elote (Mexican Street Corn) sort of.  Tricia sent me the recipe, and we veganized it with Vegenaise, smoked paprika, garden basil.  It was to celebrate Tricia's impending move to Kailea, Hawaii from Norfolk, Virginia.

Nene-chan.  19 and going strong!  We love her so much.  Dayla was nearby in her postal box.

 

Dayla

Sylvia Crosby's cat from Batesville.  Adopted April 14th.  With the help of margaret, amanda, and Carol Crosby.  We love her!

Bravo, our love

big bend