Arrrrrrrgh...

Let me tell you what kind of sleeper I am. I require complete darkness. I not only turn my alarm clock away from my face, I also cover it up.

Joe got a new alarm clock for his side of the room. He wanted to be able to easily see the time. What does this new clock do? At the touch of a button, it hideously projects the time on the ceiling in bright red, so we can see it ticking away all night.

What's worse, much worse, is that it looks like this:


Need I even assure you that our bedroom does not have a dead pirate theme? I prefer our bedroom to be a peaceful retreat, not a place of impending mutiny.

I must also divulge that this wasn't a whim purchase. It wasn't a purchase at all. Joe saved cereal boxes for months, and eventually saved enough to mail away for this treasure.

Now let me tell you about our little neighbor boy. He has spent the entire summer running around in nothing but underpants, a cape, pirate hat, eye patch and sword.

I decided to be tight-lipped about Joe's acquisition. Joe, on his own, came to the conclusion that, perhaps, this clock would be better off next door. I, of course, fully supported his decision.

A blink and a smile

Joe has been out of town for the past few days and Jia and I haven't been sleeping much. So, when, three days ago, she started looking at me, blinking and then smiling, I thought she had developed an eye twitch from being so tired.

But day after day, it kept happening.

Today, I worried that maybe she wasn't getting enough of some vitamin, which had resulted in a facial tic.

Then tonight, during cuddle time, she did it again. A blink and a starry-eyed smile. I said, "Why are you blinking?" She giggled and said, "Grandpa does that."

I just called Grandpa and apparently he has been covertly teaching her how to wink! (But, obviously, she hasn't mastered it yet.) A blink and a smile. Now, of course, I think it's pretty darn cute.

Zhongqiu Jie

Although the moon is still a no-show due to poor weather, we enjoyed the mooncakes! My friend Binh said they're similar to fruitcake, given to someone and then the recipient says, "uh, thanks." But we liked them and will purchase them every year. Jia did spit out the duck egg yolk, but ate the rest of her wedge and asked for more.

The legend about the mooncakes is as follows: About 700 years ago, the Mongols controlled China. The Chinese wanted to rule their own country, so they plotted a revolt. Bakers hid the battle plans inside tiny mooncakes, knowing the Mongols wouldn't eat them. The mooncakes were then given to the people with instructions that they should eat them on the 15th day of the eight lunar month. On that day (today), the people cracked open their cakes, read the plans, and overthrew the Mongol government.

Part of a Chinese poem explains another important aspect of the day: "Loved ones are remembered this day, for we watch the same moon in the sky." I imagine Jia's birthparents are especially thinking of her today.

Moon Festivities

This Tuesday, we will celebrate the Harvest Moon Festival. We purchased lotus seed paste and red bean mooncakes from a local Chinese-run bakery. The pastries have an egg yolk inside, which represents the moon. We plan to lay outside on a blanket and gaze at the bright moon while drinking hot tea and eating mooncakes.


This holiday is right up Jia's alley as she is all about the moon - and eating! The bakers gave her a cookie too so we're off to a good start!

Is anyone else celebrating? What are you doing for it? I'd love ideas for years to come.

She keeps us going

Jia has been just wonderful this last week. She has been giving us lots of spontaneous hugs and kisses, and trying her best to be a comedienne.

After the funeral activities, we came home and Joe changed into some pajama pants. They were bright red with penguins on them. When she saw him, she got a slight smile on her face and said, "Oh Baba, CUTE!"

Jia also told her first joke. We were riding in a car and she asked, "Mama, what are you doing?" I said, "Sitting here. What are you doing?" She replied, "Playing in the sandbox. Kidding."

We were floored.

She really does keep us going.

So it continues...

We attended the candlelight vigil for Mark tonight. Everyone met at a park near his house and walked the route of his last bike ride en masse up to the point where he was killed. We videotaped the gathering for his wife because, understandably, she didn't feel up to it. We really didn't either, but wanted to go to show our support. Jia started fussing part way through, as it was close to bedtime. So we decided to leave a little early and proceed home.

Part way back we realized that we were walking alone in the same sketchy, poorly lit neighborhood where Mark was randomly attacked, dodging people who were beginning to fight. Then, we heard a big screech, and half a block behind us a car smashed into a minivan which then flew though a fence and into a tree. A terribly awful sight with injured children. We called 911 and were put on hold, repeatedly. Despite the fact that a fire station was two blocks away and cop cars even closer, it took nearly fifteen minutes for help to arrive.

I feel like our great city is falling apart.

But then part of me still has hope because nearly 700-800 people turned out against crime in support of Mark. And that was a beautiful thing.

Remembering

Mark's funeral was today. Joe had the honor of writing the obituary for it, and giving the eulogy. It was clear that Joe's remarks resonated with the many, many people there. Mark was truly something special, and that was evident with the outpouring of love and support today.

Joe also had the distinct privilege of lowering Mark's ashes into their resting place. I'm so very proud of him for all his efforts during this terribly hard time.

Mark and Joe and their friend Roger were inseparable for years. Roger also suffered an untimely death a couple of years ago and his resting place is in the same cemetery quite close to Mark's. How sadly convenient for Joe.

Mark had registered for the Minneapolis Bike Tour last Sunday. We rode the fifteen miles in his memory with two of his kids, some relatives and friends, and plan to do so every year.


Tomorrow night is a candlelight vigil in the neighborhood where Mark was attacked.

After that, we breathe, and begin to help his wife Samantha and the kids on a regular basis.

We appreciate all your comments here. Thanks.