https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-03-11 https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/advocate-for-o monthly 0.5 2025-02-27 https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/arisugawa-park-has-lost-its-magic monthly 0.5 2023-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/e97afca2-f75f-43de-a7f4-968a3fbea29c/IMG_6530.jpg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic - Arisugawa Park And the special places we share https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681170656995-V0QNHSNFIT7GQPOEM5B3/IMG_3760.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681170650265-MEXMRXT7PBK2C1Q39Q9I/IMG_1345.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681170284309-661S46R0QLSAWS65G800/IMG_3674.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681170282060-EXT9WMY9YFIOTQ489YRH/IMG_3361.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/6d481933-f2f5-42da-857b-f54b39f193a4/arisugawa+park+tokyo+japan+autumn Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/203da0fc-bec8-49ad-9746-d0a115ecd5e2/Autumn+tree+arisugawa+park+tokyo+japan Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681123697306-7ENMSF4WV92N9A8S02AK/IMG_0033.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681123712613-A965Q17XFSTL8EMRH1SD/IMG_0380.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681123822318-FYU4ZWAVTD8YNSEJ4SZ0/IMG_1672.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681170858582-3QIDJLO0CHU7ZCE715GS/IMG_0016.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681170876364-AFZ9DNGCSFB4IC7K1H2X/IMG_0175.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1681170865104-TV9LFYLCIPSLZ41KO3LR/IMG_0030.jpeg Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/4df8da98-8bcb-4b20-a49c-e76b54a3d3e4/child+in+field+arisugawa+park+tokyo+japan Blog - Arisugawa Park Has Lost its Magic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/giving-birth-in-japan monthly 0.5 2023-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/31918c19-459f-425e-bf9a-cf88f4ca9b89/IMG_2009.jpeg Blog - Giving Birth in Japan - Make it stand out Baby’s first photo! I thought he looked a little like George Costanza here, and I say that with love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/226521a4-9414-491f-b8f2-4093569ca607/IMG_0778.jpeg Blog - Giving Birth in Japan - Giving Birth in Japan Featuring terry robes that make your baby look like the angel he/she is https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1677230179659-778BAL9XYSIVF0YKEGU1/IMG_6530+2.jpeg Blog - Giving Birth in Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1677230215380-Y18OQ3O9RQ5M1O2844KJ/67257074373__BDDDCAB9-EEC0-474C-B9AE-E260B733C9AA.jpeg Blog - Giving Birth in Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1677230212260-RUFF12JLWT9VCXMRKJ40/IMG_1823.jpeg Blog - Giving Birth in Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1677231136821-L8BJERMUS6KC2DHD5GAC/6759B6F4-50A3-4625-9026-F833FF4F602C.jpeg Blog - Giving Birth in Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1677231158916-QWU3A5P8A4HI7Q0HZ2LA/IMG_1854.jpeg Blog - Giving Birth in Japan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/a934954b-8d36-4cfa-851c-089e851e1fb4/IMG_3496.jpeg Blog - Giving Birth in Japan - Make it stand out The very helpful birth schedule: a progression from post-op recovery to independence https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/preparing-for-birth-in-japan monthly 0.5 2023-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/a981b3cc-cd78-4b37-8c1c-32ffd286309e/B3834EDA-BF57-4117-BE44-57608A0FBC02.jpg Blog - Preparing for Birth in Japan A Supposedly Wonderful Thing I’ll Never Do Again https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/do-as-i-say-not-as-i-do-bumbling-my-way-through-japan monthly 0.5 2022-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/e192fddd-0a91-46b6-a45d-01bb39391aa3/IMG_8882.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki - Make it stand out The Beach Burger House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/ea876d18-a2ea-4d63-85bf-3dc6509f504a/IMG_0892.jpg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki - Do as I Say, Not as I Do Bumbling my way through Japan. During COVID. With minimal language skills. And small children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1664165668995-HIR6UJ7NX3P3PUG04MJ7/IMG_8928.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1664165658677-US2TZJLTU1B7W5QWHRE0/IMG_8924.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1664165677124-956HYQN8PO6SBOD8W473/IMG_8938.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/70f5bb51-573e-4bc8-98a3-7205041c90b3/IMG_0907.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki - Make it stand out One of the pools at the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort; it would have been nice to use it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/024d5332-6f13-4b30-a001-b99a014170cd/IMG_8890.jpg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki - Make it stand out Dinner out in Miyazaki https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/86562ae2-8069-4105-a0df-edf7bcb01fb8/IMG_0896.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki - Make it stand out The pool at night. The resort has great ambience in the evening as you walk the path toward the onsen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/a388bb05-5728-42ee-97cf-42832b00c128/IMG_8880.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki - Make it stand out The walk to Sunbeach Hitotsuba and Miyazaki Rinkai Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1664165419840-NV1RRNANQ95MV8PPGNJP/IMG_8943.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1664165412824-QLC5CKKOWOHRU7HSLA6Q/IMG_1562.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1664165426647-15AO80QNLJQ2LWINHKRH/IMG_8915.jpeg Blog - Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Bumbling My Way Through Miyazaki https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/birth-and-pregnancy-matter-part-iii monthly 0.5 2022-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/a491e2e2-8dbc-487a-890b-5af7baeda865/Screen+Shot+2022-09-06+at+12.19.23+PM.jpg Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part III - Make it stand out A Swedish film about a depressed widower: guaranteed to keep your mind off of what ails you! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/730eb0d7-951b-4651-aa13-4c8132d421c1/A28CC63E-8B23-4CD9-9CFC-3579CA657076.jpg Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part III - B&P Matter, Part III Arrival Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/8a30250f-2a41-42a9-9d3e-d35ec4c3bb19/Screen+Shot+2022-09-06+at+1.40.43+PM.png Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part III - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/birth-and-pregnancy-matter-part-ii monthly 0.5 2022-11-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/637517f9-dcca-4722-bb0b-84a19cd9a5a4/CD7F0ACA-675F-4761-8CAE-55CA89797233_1_105_c.jpeg Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part II - Make it stand out Me, not pregnant, “winning” at yoga in Okinawa in March 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1650333415520-WVYBD0LVDHTILF798IH8/unsplash-image-sljmgxyzmqM.jpg Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part II - Excuse me, is that breast milk or the devil’s liquid? Also, haven’t you ever heard of NIPPLE CONFUSION?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/4976ac15-1785-4826-a442-ac579480c120/unsplash-image-bcmvJT9tyvo.jpg Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part II - Make it stand out Image via UnSplash https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/cc2ec030-c50c-4504-baed-91cf1fe0a8dc/4524ABA7-D149-47CB-9631-F26039D1532A.jpeg Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part II - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part II In which I, having lost at pregnancy, set my intention to win at birth. https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/9536agmyt70jrlde2vqsli31vqwubo monthly 0.5 2022-11-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1649721242873-AOE43T1TB11OZXQ1T8BN/Screen+Shot+2022-04-07+at+9.15.05+AM.png Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1649721243947-ZW1MBV21UJ58BY83BGYS/Screen+Shot+2022-04-07+at+9.15.34+AM.png Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1649721245632-WAHHSJ0J2RNU56HRBOZP/Screen+Shot+2022-04-07+at+9.16.20+AM.png Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1649723980789-NBLCTABKT91LPLNKXMM1/unsplash-image-ZHys6xN7sUE.jpg Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part I - Make it stand out Image via UnSplash https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/18350155-a9f2-4ec8-b2da-8aeb5b48a730/Screen+Shot+2022-04-12+at+9.15.00+AM.png Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part I - Make it stand out Congratulations! You feel terrible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/873674b7-2d5b-47df-84e2-a5e5c256ae06/2D2F59B3-2C27-428C-A73C-E13EC61EBA4E_1_201_a.jpeg Blog - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part I - Birth and Pregnancy Matter: Part I A Manifesta Five Years in the Making https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/caesura monthly 0.5 2022-09-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1644908344259-GS13USYVFN0GHD3VI8YN/IMG_8525.jpeg Blog - Caesura https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1644908346640-464TCZLCDJ40DL93Q8WP/IMG_8511.jpeg Blog - Caesura https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/e01ca533-dc22-4a2d-8c09-fec97436f8db/Screen+Shot+2022-02-15+at+3.46.25+PM.png Blog - Caesura - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/scream-inside-your-heart monthly 0.5 2022-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629092373713-9EIVKBSJK0GXZW91V255/IMG_8237.jpeg Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629092376290-UMJZ7PWW89ZGJONSWGKF/IMG_8238.jpeg Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629095984663-AK4CH787UHW0Z6CZ919O/IMG_8236.jpg Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629096064762-8B4U6KZ2YWD3R72A5EMC/IMG_8275.jpg Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629096848698-V6YQ04AJC5PSSYJKQBUI/Tokyo+at+dusk Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart - Scream Inside Your Heart Living in Tokyo During the 2020 Olympics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629092791542-JLRYX5ITGRHEC3WRAG04/IMG_8241.jpeg Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629092792930-EBCVOJ5VWTJE4D8VFJHO/F846DAF8-031C-4666-8229-C983DB68D47E.jpeg Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629091195703-Q50XUBAWBF508LTJRE9D/IMG_8228.jpeg Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart - Athlete Housing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629091471625-63WNRVPX1MR8BAY07XFF/IMG_8232.jpg Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart - A view of athlete housing from the river https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629091227444-57BNPDWT964KQN58MGTX/Screen+Shot+2021-08-16+at+2.09.21+PM.png Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart - Country flags on the balcony: South Korea https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1629091229097-8XSSUTFQPWDUA3EGS3MY/Screen+Shot+2021-08-16+at+2.08.31+PM.png Blog - Scream Inside Your Heart - Country flags on a balcony: Croatia https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/tokyo2020aplay monthly 0.5 2022-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1627538584030-67ESF9I7F6MINRXOA4N9/alex-smith-J4yQp1lIJsQ-unsplash.jpg Blog - Going to the 2020 Games (Or not.) (Or maybe!) (Nope, definitely nope): A Play in Three Acts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1627538745116-HNIQ5535ODQVBV7L96T9/geron-dison-K2VqjxGcGYM-unsplash.jpg Blog - Going to the 2020 Games (Or not.) (Or maybe!) (Nope, definitely nope): A Play in Three Acts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1627538802755-563A77GJ8ANSHD7QU8ZV/cdc-k0KRNtqcjfw-unsplash.jpg Blog - Going to the 2020 Games (Or not.) (Or maybe!) (Nope, definitely nope): A Play in Three Acts https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/whos-afraid-of-a-little-prick monthly 0.5 2021-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1625779126971-07MX0I9HVFZ1N7CDJ6OX/The+author+posing+in+front+of+a+sign+that+says+%22Bet+On+Yourself%22 Blog - Who’s Afraid of a Little Prick? - Who’s Afraid of a Little Prick? Or, A Brief History of Pain https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/vaccination-vacation-part-i-preparation-to-arrival monthly 0.5 2021-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1624979492625-AINP9PJWOIL862CA0J1H/IMG_7925.jpg Blog - Vaccination Vacation, Part I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1624979492105-MC9RYVANWLZGAMGRH6WE/IMG_7924.jpg Blog - Vaccination Vacation, Part I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1624979493249-00BT6LHMRDIJLU4XPSEU/IMG_7923.jpg Blog - Vaccination Vacation, Part I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1624979493959-M7KYO9P1MVD4Q65JXQV7/IMG_7922.jpg Blog - Vaccination Vacation, Part I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1624980876340-OSGPW8XUM5H9URMNGB3Z/EAE405F0-9076-4678-8629-093BD846E8E0.jpeg Blog - Vaccination Vacation, Part I - Make it stand out Just hanging out in the post-vaccination waiting area-slash-prophylactic aisle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1624978935858-GKB9D8ZXJSNTTLG8YCAO/Anthony+Ramos+as+John+Laurens Blog - Vaccination Vacation, Part I - Make it stand out Anthony Ramos as John Laurens, one of the last casualties of the Revolutionary War. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1624980688909-M696TOTMS18GUSU8HWGR/IMG_0663.jpeg Blog - Vaccination Vacation, Part I - Make it stand out Some souvenirs I scooped up prior to the trip. At duty-free, I grabbed a few beauty products from Saborino and SK-II, and more snacks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1624978474892-F80FTRIQSHY3HO6N5812/Haneda+Airport+by+%40MarkusWinkler+via+UnSplash Blog - Vaccination Vacation, Part I - Vaccination Vacation Part I: Preparation to Arrival https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/apocalypse-parenting monthly 0.5 2021-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621587563676-O9E7H8LKODGA89CFPY6Y/IMG_7683.jpg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - The plastic symbol https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621587447397-OXH9A1KGJT9NA5UDJ80B/IMG_7526.jpeg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - Aggressive sorting... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621587457882-PKMC4DU6J16WVAX29G7I/IMG_7525.jpeg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - More recycling... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621587461885-KPMHVZWDAQHJR1CA6H13/IMG_7524.jpeg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - Even more recycle sorting... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621587470927-HW6FASC2XEB5Y5W6LT2S/IMG_7705.jpeg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - New compost bin! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621586939130-N3CAK4D05BJR69SHJZZK/unsplash-image-S9NQnIV4zOI.jpg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - Apocalypse Parenting We [kind of did] start the fire… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621593253659-XZ5N702GEDM38PTD743X/IMG_0465.jpeg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - Evidence of the Best Day Ever https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621593248132-A61DGRWV9XKLOXCB84U4/IMG_0459.jpeg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - Birthday Butterfly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621593428005-7JS2L8H7080MNFMTL89J/unsplash-image-d_ofZt3AxwM.jpg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - Make it stand out Image by Pablo Stanic @stanicph via UnSplash https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621588349062-VS1IEEVLVU5NNWBCOBDL/IMG_5662.jpg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - Foggy day on the Puget Sound? Nope... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1621588482274-0EO2FP0YUPNSRSU1N3QK/IMG_5659.jpg Blog - Apocalypse Parenting - Wildfire smoke: September 14, 2020. https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/learning-japanese monthly 0.5 2022-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1619576360256-D6SGGZPG4ZZYSMK06HQS/IMG_0374.jpeg Blog - Learning Japanese Here is my embarrassing attempt at practicing my hiragana and katakana characters using a real calligraphy set. I probably did not mix the ink right, my stroke order is likely wrong, but…learning! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1619572941039-YZ31M9ZIZE9ARULQ0YJ3/Blurred+image+of+temple+entrance+and+tree Blog - Learning Japanese - On Being a Student にほんごのがくせい https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1619575499105-L49VJ801YT48TLIPK1B9/IMG_2037.jpeg Blog - Learning Japanese Toddler gazes out at Tokyo skyline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1619575815629-C0WUZWGM0TQMAOGO342L/unsplash-image-N4DbvTUDikw.jpg Blog - Learning Japanese Photo by @jlhopes via UnSplash. Many of the bloggers/Gram’ers/Tweeters I follow in Japan are here for these kinds of vistas, and capture them so much better than I ever could. Here, the iconic Mt Fuji in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1619575242589-Z4R6BE8UUIESHA0X6VJ5/IMG_0207.jpeg Blog - Learning Japanese One of my instructors said nikujaga—a sort of meat stew—was emblematic of Japanese home cooking I found a recipe online and gave it a try. Pretty good! https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/the-worst-decision-continued monthly 0.5 2022-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618540643239-TBEI8T05XB2V1LA7FESQ/IMG_0091.jpeg Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued Desmond once jumped out of a moving vehicle, which is another story for another time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618541347433-0AL609TY66Z64GDX2DJV/E2741657-B5F8-4ADB-9097-1DDC0F7109FF_1_105_c.jpg Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued A nearby Buddhist temple I should probably consider visiting to find some peace. I can read banners at the top with some Google assistance. The left is the date, the middle says oshi ya kasama, which means “graceful,” and the far right banner says “to be born.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618540561694-UBOMU3L7LC36U1PTZUJB/IMG_2364.jpg Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued My all-time favorite photo of Des as a puppy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618538877064-OQVG035IPLMKTTPV4C8A/A+black+dog%2C+Desmond%2C+mouth+open Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued - The Worst Decision, Continued Or, My Dog Is COVID https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618539440902-00YJUYD7E6RV8E2QQQB8/IMG_6383.jpg Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued Reina, contemplating Desmond’s demise while lying in front of “her” window https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618540835274-AMTXSBB1439PB0VZ5PX3/Desmond+reclining+on+floor%2C+tongue+out Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618540959668-Q4S99VKGP0R3G714ZHFJ/IMG_2222.jpeg Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618540959290-UI6451824AB1DKNOEH8Q/IMG_2921.jpeg Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618540941736-M7IZILMFD4EMZU1CJQC8/IMG_3536.jpeg Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1618540953631-7DQ8VCRRX2YHF91FZKB6/IMG_2328.jpeg Blog - The Worst Decision, Continued https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/the-worst-decision-ive-ever-made monthly 0.5 2022-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1617759851252-Q1AVHTG1JB8FWN8LCTLS/Sakura%2Bin%2BHibiya Blog - The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made - The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1617762294317-184QLN33S07OIBBKTAXT/A+person+whose+face+is+not+shown+holds+up+a+black+puppy+and+two+signs%3A+one+with+the+number+16%2C+the+other+with+the+symbol+for+male Blog - The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1617760689920-RS4MJTU7YEMS0HSEM7TX/Golden+retriever+sits+in+a+well+decorated+open+concept+living+room Blog - The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made For proof that dog = home, look at this image from @rarchitecture_melbourne. They’re selling the dream here, as if that dog’s fur wouldn’t be all over the carpet and cushions, and its claws wouldn’t scratch those hardwood floors. Come on, now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1617760038963-9124KGCUAAHEC8GVWH0G/62E1CB81-68DF-4171-A486-D27A74C41E4F_1_105_c.jpg Blog - The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1617761277008-Y5MTINYND6SXDL1YWHF0/close+up+of+my+face+next+to+sherman+the+dog%27s+face Blog - The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made Me, Sherman, and our red eyes. Editing images is for professionals, which I am not. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1617760277963-22KDO3J1L2VH9VS6E8M0/Author%2C+daughter%2C+and+black+dog+%28Desmond%29+sitting+on+a+white+couch Blog - The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made Face hidden to protect the innocent. The other two are guilty…of being assholes. Also, you better believe Des + this white rental couch = disgusting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1617761795691-OGBRTB0TQAER1NQ609Q5/gray%2C+brown%2C+and+white+cat+snuggled+into+covers Blog - The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made Max the Cat: RIP https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1617761811986-56UOHVWV171H1LFXDSHR/max+the+cat+snuggled+between+two+blankets Blog - The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made In looking for old photos, I didn’t remember how much he liked being under blankets https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/lets-talk-about-hard-things monthly 0.5 2022-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1616080458376-FIKLQ3VKQ61ZRU81OCUL/Meiji+shrine+gate Blog - Heavy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1615539523039-4Z3CD99EGS9OWK790ZSW/IMG_0111.jpg Blog - Heavy I took a photo of these flowers in February and labeled them “plum blossoms” on Instagram, but was gently told I was wrong. These may be early cherry blossoms? I don’t know. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1616076921584-LKVCS4UZWA58ZJ6248N6/Add+To+Cart+podcast Blog - Heavy - Podcast: Add to Cart with Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak A friend once said, “I no longer have an inner monologue; it’s just podcasts,” and I can relate. I can’t seem to do any chore without my earbuds in. Add to Cart is in my regular rotation, even though I currently can’t buy most of the items they discuss. But the show is about much more than that, and like any good podcast, I feel like the hosts are my friends…or I wish they were! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1616079082616-1A15BAU6GLIBLYAKX4EP/Kiss+Quotient+Cover Blog - Heavy - Book: The Kiss Quotient I recall the very last time I had a drink in a bar in 2020. It was with a very smart (lawyer!) friend, and we were chatting about the shows and entertainment we were consuming after our kids went to bed. I shared my predilection for Bravo; she said romance novels were often her escape. MFAs tend to turn their noses up at genre fiction—especially the kind geared toward women—but once the pandemic hit I couldn’t sit with the dense and sometimes difficult literary fiction I would normally be inclined to pick up. Romance novels became a life raft, and I discovered that a lot of what’s being published today is sex-positive, feminist, diverse, and f’ing good! The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang features a heroine who is on the spectrum, and a dreamy Vietnamese American leading man. It was one of my top reads of the last year, and I can’t wait for the third book in the trilogy. (Her second book, The Bride Test, is already out.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1616077615727-596FLGAQN4P00TY0KB7N/ShunCHAN+on+YouTube Blog - Heavy - YouTube: SHUNchan The YouTuber who goes by “Shun Chan” is a young man from Osaka who went to college in the US. (Coincidentally, he completed his first few years at a Seattle college.) He’s hilarious, and N— and I like to watch the videos together. While the content is humorous, I’ve actually learned quite a bit; plus, he reminds me of the college students I miss so much. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1616078314765-WX0RPMJMZYZ3EAL98N7O/Bling+Empire Blog - Heavy - Netflix: Bling Empire Reality TV has its detractors, and not everyone wants to watch the ultra rich fly a private jet from LA to Paris just to go shopping—but representation matters, and the cast share a lot more about their lives than what they spend. Star Kevin Kreider is very active on social media, discussing the harmful stereotypes of Asian masculinity, and the issues surrounding being a Korean adoptee with white parents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1615813307178-KLVHKFXD0JHQUTPZJULR/IMG_7289.jpg Blog - Heavy Taiyaki are fish-shaped cakes filled with a sweet red bean paste called an. https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/partlythawed monthly 0.5 2022-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1614991605090-XI3OZASQ619F8KLI1EOE/IMG_1258.JPG Blog - Partly Thawed Posing with the famous confluence of rivers in Pittsburgh. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1614992195066-PQ1I2R8N0YVLUG9BOPIP/Steve+Buscemi+saying+%22How+Do+You+Do+Fellow+Kids%22 Blog - Partly Thawed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1614869897231-F14Y36M8F8FSAMPM00JW/IMG_6189.jpg Blog - Partly Thawed - Partly Thawed https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/-mostly-the-same monthly 0.5 2022-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1614156748517-OKYJS33MELF5RB7XK3GC/Alhambra.jpg Blog - In A Bubble Inside the Alhambra, Granada, Spain 2004 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1614174019726-X1R4W0623352EAKB2L8U/IMG_6492.jpeg Blog - In A Bubble Japanese croquettes with miso soup, rice, and chrysanthemum greens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1614235185243-ZBPVM1B03APN0H4BK44K/Senso-Ji+at+night+in+2019 Blog - In A Bubble - In A Bubble On Whiteness, consumption, and COVID https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1614156886303-V25OGCD7T194QDJBRW31/IMG_1940.jpeg Blog - In A Bubble Shinjuku,Tokyo, Japan 2019 https://www.placeholderblog.com/blog/a-little-bit-different-mostly-the-same monthly 0.5 2022-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1612927004163-6N8VHVUG0CH53A0ZQ5LV/744894C6-8C1E-4B7F-8249-292F5A4650FF_1_201_a.jpeg Blog - A Little Bit Different… S— in our yard in Tokyo: high walls, trees, lots of dirt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc9d3455c070e31857cfd6e/1612926033281-41UHNVZHODZVN9II2KO7/B385E7FB-D1F3-48BB-8CE0-A34E2F86C457_1_201_a.jpeg Blog - A Little Bit Different… The hog, aka our ebike, aka the mamachari: our main form of transportation. 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