in no particular order, here are some random pictures from my life.


i finally decided to wash my mask, or my "men" as it's called in japanese. i've used it since i was 14. it's been through 2 summer kendo camps in japan, endless training, 2 years in japan, endless training, and just plain EW. it never occured to me that i could wash it. i just always aired it out. the stench became unbearable, so on my off weekend, i FINALLY got the chance to soak it and scrub the bad boy. this is a picture after the SECOND soaking after leaving it in the water over night. the water is brown. i'm so embarrassed....haha. at least i'm not stinky anymore! well, kinda....



even the men's team coach was apalled that i had never washed it before. ew.




my nephew is already a future kendoist! he has his own little baby sized shinai.




he's even holding it correctly....



and now, he's trying to eat it.




this is kimmy and lior. this was kimmy's idea. the "asianness" in her seems to be inherent cuz i know them high school girls in japan love doing this shit.




kimmy's a bit shy.




this was also kimmy's idea. i didn't influence her at all. she figured out all by herself how she and her friends can make a star with their fingers, and wanted me to take a picture of it.




it's finally warm enough for the flip flops. cali, baby.



here's lior making a heart!




this is the worst bruise i've received in a long time. it's already healing and looks much better here in this picture than it did before.




my kids in april during the one day of sunshine we had in 2 months of rain.



i asked tanguy, pronounced tawn-gee, to do something funny. this is his interpretation of funny. this guy is my little monkey...




this is my view of tanguy. he's such a cuddly boy. he makes me fall in love with him everyday.




erin and her beautiful baby blues. she's the one who's dad fixes "puters."



roee...one of my israeli kids. fucker can't do anything for himself, but he's such a cutie.




napua...she's the one who said that both her parents have been to jail. if only her mom knew the things this girl tells us...



lior again.




napua and charlotte, a real platinum blonde.



ryan. this photo was taken by one of the kids...don't remember who though. not bad for a photo taken by a 4 year old, eh? ryan is half japanese/white. maybe i'll have a little boy like him someday...



me and some of my kids. yes...i dress like a bum to work cuz i get DIRTY. notice my little boy, tanguy. photo taken by napua.



ryan looking at napua like she's a crazy girl.




photo either taken by ryan or napua. it was FINALLY a gorgeous day....isn't it lovely?



charlotte is a bit melodramatic. this is her in her "serious" mode.



ryan and yuval. both kindergarteners.



charlotte has the most GORGEOUS blue eyes. i used to be her teacher when she was still 3 and talking like she was a drunk woman. now, she's such a bright and articulate kindergartener. what a trip...

these kids are who i spend my days with. we're like family. they have my heart.


on another note...i've SERIOUSLY been into 24 lately. on season 2 now. i never thought keifer sutherland was hot, but man....if i could get that guy alone, i'd rip his clothes off and take it from there. ;)

that show gives me a heart attack. good stuff.

um....mood, alright. background music: Montara by Madlib. tranquil, serene.