Life is Good

And not just because I'm starting my second glass of wine.

I have come to the conclusion that I am my happiest when exploring new places or trying new foods. Or having a glass of wine with friends/family. Perhaps the good life is not nearly as complicated as we make ours out to be. Maybe that's the secret.

Last Saturday I flew to Pennsylvania for Christa's Celebration of Life. Even though it's been a year, I knew it would still be a difficult thing to do, yet so important. The ceremony was beautiful and sad. A good reflection of life I would say.

That night, after pizza, all the ladies gathered around the kitchen table with bottles of wine and beer, and just talked. It was far later than I would normally stay up, although I was also on the east coast while my biological clock was on the west coast.

I was completely off my normal routine, and those who know me know that I am very routine oriented. But sometimes, things are important enough to interrupt routine. Wine with the women of the family being one of them. I slept late, I ate pastries, I didn't run once. The heat and humidity made me cower in one air conditioned building after another.

The family invited me to their home on the coast, to spend another week, and tried to convince me to change my plane ticket. I was incredibly tempted, but I knew my boss had been patient enough with me taking time off and I didn't want to overdo it.

I went to Philly for a day of exploring. I was ecstatic to see the liberty bell, my nerves buzzing with excitement.

I had to ask a guy working there if it was the real thing, and not a replica. He assured me it was the real thing. I still have my doubts, but there was an awful lot of security there, as well as bullet proof glass in the windows behind the bell.

I spotted Independence Hall across the street.

After going through another security line, I was admitted into the courtyard of Independence Hall.

True words.

The photo above is a water spout.

I went through a guided tour of Independence Hall (you can't go in without a guide). The tour was a bit long winded, as I was on a time budget (everything was going to close shortly), but it was worth it.

Independence Hall was once Pennsylvania State House, and the above is from the courthouse.

Where George Washington, Ben Franklin, and others drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence:

I rushed off towards the National Constitution Center, which would close in an hour and a half.

 I believe our religious freedom is possibly one of our most important. I'm reading the book "Jerusalem" by Montefiore, and I guess I never really realized the amount of violence and barbarianism that occurred throughout Jerusalem's history, and mostly in the name of religion. George Santayana said "Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it." I think of all the Facebook posts that demand to bring God back to the schools, and in public places, saying our country is a Christian country, and I'm reminded of the near constant massacres occurring in Jerusalem for centuries, all due to some one wanting their own religion to be the religion of the land. It is inconceivable to me that we do not see this, that we dare suggest that the United States government support one religion over another, after all that history has demonstrated. Religion will never be a smart way to rule a nation.

It was time for me to move on to the National Constitution Center.

I saw beautiful photos of Jackie and John Kennedy, an absolutely amazing theater performance by one actress and a few special effects on the evolution of civil rights in America, and I walked among statues of our founding fathers debating the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

It was time for a cheese steak...because, well, when in Philly....

It was far better than the one I had in Eureka, California, years ago. Next time I will also try out the variety of sauces available.

Everything was shutting down, and I had to find my hotel for the night.

In the morning, I had just enough time to meander through the infamous Reading Terminal Market before flying home. I bought a coffee and wandered through the stalls of meats, cheeses, flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, handmade soaps, Amish goods, sandwiches, fresh seafood, chocolates, eateries, and everything else.

I bought a few boxes of chocolates, a hoagie for lunch on the plane, and then breakfast at the crepe place.

It was time to go. I would have to return another day to see the rest of Philly. One day was nowhere near enough.

Tomorrow I turn 35. Am I stressed about that at all? Nope.

The local paper in Stroudsburg, PA said something about how in a survey of older people, the favorite age is 40. I can buy that. Every year I wonder if this is the year I will finally feel like a full fledged adult. I remember my parents being in their 30's and how much I really viewed them as adults, but maybe that's because I was really young. Maybe you don't become an adult until your 40's.

I got back home from Philly last night, so today was spent grocery shopping and doing laundry.

I thought about all the things I could do tomorrow for my birthday, which I will spend alone once again. There are plenty of options, we'll just have to see what I feel like tomorrow.

I bought myself a bouquet of flowers and just had a cheese, olive, fruit, and salami plate with wine, one of my favorite meals. 3 types of cheese, a variety of olives, black grapes, salami, and a halfway decent sherry.

And then this happened across the street.

And all I could think about was getting a good photo. I should've grabbed my real camera which has much better zoom capabilities. The dumpster appeared to be far enough away from structures that it wasn't going to spread.





Then I heard sirens, and assumed the fire department was enroute. And I wondered...if the skin on salami does not come off very easily, then does that mean that it's edible? I hope so, because I ate it. And the cheeses were absolutely delectable.

And the fire department put out the burning dumpster.

And I realized that life is just a crazy adventure. We're here for awhile and then we're gone, and that's ok. Every single thing in this universe that is granted a life, is also granted a death. We're born and we live and we age and we die. And there are so many experiences in this world to be had. So much living to do. So many people to love and spend time with. You just have to go out and grab it, because you only get this one beautiful chance.

Solo Voyager

It must have been my dad's nonchalant way of traveling, throwing three kids into a jeep wrangler and driving across country, or across international borders, that made me view travel as no big deal. As soon as I had my drivers license and a car I was all about exploring. I drove up to Dana Point my senior year in high school, because I could. I drove down to Mexico, either with a friend, or even solo. I catapulted myself into unknown situations, not necessarily fearless but certainly undaunted.

Christmas came quickly after my dad died and we celebrated it because we thought we should. But for me it was too harsh, too raw, too forced. Christmas came around the next year and I couldn't face it again. On a whim, with no careful planning, I purchased a plane ticket to Rome. What better way to be completely distracted from the pain of the holidays than to be lost in a country where you don't speak the language?

Since then I have traveled to several countries, moved to different towns, explored worlds outside of my own- cultures, religions, places, food- all mostly alone. Every once in awhile I find someone to share the experience with me, but more often than not, I venture on with nothing for company except for a journal and a camera. And a little bit of courage.

Kindness and humility goes a long way. If ever you find yourself in an uncertain situation, be kind and humble and you'll be surprised by who is willing to give you assistance.

Today it occurred to me that although I am in a steady relationship, I am no closer to having someone to share my adventures with. Jason lives 400 miles away now, and since it's fire season, visitation is extremely limited. I just got him for 24 hours after not seeing him for 6 weeks.

We took the train up to San Francisco to visit the Exploratorium and China Town.

Yes, that is an A's ball cap. But that's ok as I'm a Padres fan anyway.

The Exploratorium was a huge maze of hands on science. A lot of the exhibits were things I've learned in the past year and a half of grad school. It's pretty neat to see stuff like that.

My dad would really appreciate this. It's made entirely of toothpicks. It's basically a 3-D mural of all of San Francisco. I have a photo of a building my dad made entirely out of toothpicks...detailed down to the staircase inside, when he was either in high school or college.

Yesterday morning before Jason left, we did a leisurely bike ride around the reservoir. I thought about what a beautiful day it was, and how there was so much in the world to do and explore. Then I thought about how I had to say goodbye to him in a couple hours. The ride was bittersweet.

This morning I had a hard time getting myself going. I forced myself into the gym, managed a 6 mile run, even though throughout the first 3 miles I continually considered canceling it. I had plans to go to the Tech Museum but whenever I got the chance, I would get bummed because I was getting a little tired of exploring the world on my own. I thought once you get in a relationship, you automatically have someone to share your life and adventures with. I have found this is not so.

I knew I would enjoy the museum once I got there, it was just getting myself out of the house that was the problem. I could sit and wallow in my loneliness all day, or I could get out and see part of San Jose that I've yet to see.

Out I went.

Body metrics measures your brain waves, heart rate, muscle tension, and voice interactions with people. I was worried that because I was solo, this thing was going to report that I was a depressed loner.

A museum staff member gave me a briefing on the set-up. She also assured me that it would not say I'm a loner, simply because I'm alone (I still had my doubts).

I put on the headset that measured my brain waves, complete with an earlobe clip for my heart rate. The lady talked me through the instructions and I noticed my mood was already at "Ecstatic". Well this was embarrassing. People in the museum were going to be able to read my emotions....literally. I was terrified of displaying the "distracted" emotion while someone was talking to me. I was told to go out and explore the museum, wearing this thing for at least half an hour...and by the way, it takes photos every 5 seconds...unless you're in the bathroom and then it magically switches to bathroom mode and quits taking pictures (supposedly).

It kept telling me I was physically tense/anxious. I'm guessing this is because there was an EEG thingy stuck on my persistently tight trapezious muscle. I kept trying to relax.

It also decided I was paired. Someone was apparently following me around. Just kidding. It decides that based on your communication/social interaction. Kids everywhere jumped in on whatever I was doing and wanted to know how to do it. I tried explaining cyber-detective to a little kid and realized kids these days know far more than I did back then. He was slinging words like "malware" around, so I shot back some lingo including "IP address" as we saved the infrastructure of the internet from cyber bullies.

I watched kids experience an earth quake in the quake zone. I didn't bother to get in the line as we just had an earthquake up here when Jason was over. Enough to feel it, but not enough for me to worry about my safety.

I tried setting up a network, but a bunch of ten year olds were doing better than I was, so I took my embarrassment elsewhere.

I saw Earth from outer space.

It was projected onto a globe in a darkened room.

I found my "Moon Weight".

(19.6 lbs)

And my "Mars Weight".

(46.4 lbs)


I visited Mars and the Rover, and watched kids operate a miniature rover.

Apparently Mars is just not really that red. I guess the first media photos that came out were doctored to look more red to appeal to the American view of Mars. So....did we ever really land on the moon? Just kidding.

I circled around to check in on my body metrics....into the Data Pool!

I am apparently a Confident Doer. I can buy that. I just go out and do things. Maybe because it's how I was raised. I did not have cautious parents, my biggest role model was an adventurer (my dad), and I was an international traveler at a young age. Somehow, I learned that if you want to do something, just go out and do it. I never knew any other way.

I was mostly ecstatic while in this museum (ha!). I was also very engaged (well it is a technology museum). And also quite anxious. Tight traps. I was socially paired somehow, and small parts quiet and chill.

There were tabs that indicated when I was my most -something. Most engaged, most ecstatic, most quiet, etc. These moments came with little snapshots of what I was doing at the moment. I was my most still while being a cyber detective. I stood at that thing fighting off malware for who knows how long.

And here:

I was my most ecstatic at 1:49:09 pm...when I was getting my Mars weight.

Well that's a little odd. I tried to think back how that went. I had just gotten my moon weight, which was pretty cool. Then I went around the corner and saw another scale, and assumed it was Earth Weight, to compare with Moon Weight. I was excited to see it was Mars Weight!!! How funny. It's also funny that out of all the exhibits I saw in the hour of wearing that thing, getting my Mars weight made me my most ecstatic.

I also got my face projected onto an astronaut that hung from the ceiling, but my phone refused to take a good picture of it.

I went upstairs and participated in some other cool technology exhibits...in which none of my cool photos turned out.

Then I went to the IMAX dome to watch the short film on Jerusalem.

Jerusalem has been on my list of places to go, but I guess not at the top. I don't really have any ties to it except that what life is complete having never been to Jerusalem?

I read a book called "Man Seeks God" (very good book, I recommend it). He mentioned upside down coffee in Jerusalem. Whatever it was, I had to have it. Jerusalem moved up a couple notches.

They weren't playing Hubble today, so I went to Jerusalem instead.

I am so going to Jerusalem some day. The mix of culture, history, religion, and architecture is thrown together like no other place I know. The film instilled in me a sense of wonder that pulled me towards it. I want to go. And not just for the upside down coffee.

I left the theater feeling like I usually do while out exploring. Feeling wonderment, satisfaction, independence....ecstatic I guess.

Walking back to campus where my car was parked, I came across Psycho Donuts. I've heard some wonderful things about it. I've been eating particularly healthy lately, so....

Thrown by all the tempting choices, I considered the consequences of ordering several and taking a couple home.

I could not see much good coming from that sort of decision. I chose one special donut to be my friend and companion for awhile. Raspberry Road Rash was his name. A chocolate cake donut with raspberry dust and chocolate and vanilla icing. And a black coffee to wash it down.

I sat at a window and watched downtown San Jose move by. No, solo explorations are not terrible. While it is nice to have someone to share these moments with, I know I can always write them down and share my sense of wonder with others, and maybe inspire a little exploration courage in them too. Because it is awesome to experience something new, to embark on a journey, to discover something you've never seen before.

Don't wait for a companion.

Mountain View Obon Odori 2015

San Jose has one of the largest Obon festivals in the Bay Area, put on by the Buddhist church I attend. I was in San Diego last weekend when the San Jose Obon Odori was happening, so I attended Mountain View's festival instead.

First, a few words on Obon. I'm going to paraphrase the description given by The Buddhist Churches of America but you can view a more complete description on their website.

Obon is a time to celebrate our loved ones who have passed on. Some traditions of Buddhism believe that it is a time when the spirits of our loved ones can return to spend the day with us, much like Mexico's Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertes). In the Jodo Shinshu tradition, that belief is viewed more as a superstition, and Obon instead is a day of celebration, Kangi-e ("Gathering of Joy"). We celebrate our gratitude for those who have moved on, as well as those still with us, and all who have made contributions to our lives. It is a time to remind ourselves to live with compassion, patience, and joy. Obon Odori, is a name for the collection of special dances done by all at the Obon festival.

The Obon festival is held separate from the Obon service so everyone can respect the more solemn side of the occasion, as we all know how hard losing someone we love can be even though we can be grateful and joyful for the time we did have with them. Our service was this last weekend, so I didn't have to miss it.

The guest speaker spoke of joy and gratitude, for our loved ones and for our precious, impermanent lives. Below is a poem he read and passed out, reprinted from Discovering Buddhism in Everyday Life, by Reverend Marvin Harada. It is a poem by Scott Morris.

I have ALS- and I am grateful.
I am grateful to retire early to be with my family.
I am grateful I have family and friends that are so
supportive and hopeful.
I am grateful I can still walk and get around.
When that is gone-
I am grateful I can still use my hands to feed myself.
When that is gone-
I am grateful I can still breathe and laugh and feel.
When that is gone-
I am grateful I had a wonderful life.
And when that is gone-
Namoamidabutsu

Namo Amida Butsu can be literally translated as "I take refuge in Amida Buddha". Without getting too lengthy, let me just say that it is my very novice understanding that Jodo Shinshu Buddhism does not translate the historical Buddhist texts very literally. Amida Buddha was not the historical Buddha that walked this earth hundreds of years ago. That was Shakyamuni Buddha. It is important to note here that all Buddhas are human, are not gods, not the son (or daughter) of any god, and do not possess mystical powers.


It is said that there is a Buddha who basically reigns over each universe, and there are millions of universes. Amida Buddha is the Buddha who reigns over the Pure Land, a lot like heaven I guess, but for every living thing and every living person, regardless of personal beliefs.

But the Jodo Shinshu tradition believes that the scriptures (as well as scriptures from all religions) have stories and symbols in them that are not to be taken literally. These stories are told to us because they contain a lesson, and it is up to us to incorporate that lesson into our lives.

Amida Buddha is a symbol of compassion, and the interconnectedness of all beings and things. We recite Namo Amida Buddha to immerse ourselves in this collective compassion from which all things are made. Yes, there are parts of life we consider bad, things that are painful. But everything just is. There will be pain and suffering, and sorrow. But there will also be joy, peace, love. None of these things last forever, they are like the wind- just passing by.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
-Mary Elizabeth Frye

The choir sang the above poem for our service as well, in Japanese.

A really good resource for those looking for a simple, easy to understand glimpse into Jodo Shinshu Buddhism is the book "Ocean" by Kenneth K. Tanaka.

Onto the Obon festival!

A friend of mine from church plays in the Chidori band that plays for a lot of the Obon festivals in the area (among other things) and invited me to the Mountain View festival. It's open to the public, free, serves lots of food, drinks, has games and raffles, Taiko drumming (you'll see in a second), and of course the Obon Odori- dances.


When I first arrived, the Taiko drumming was going on.

I love the drumming, super cool. Unfortunately I arrived at their last number, but that's ok. Off I went to explore the grounds.

I have to say, the place was mostly food. I should not have eaten before coming, even though it was only a light meal. I still made room for beef teriyaki, sushi, and an Italian soda. They had all sorts of food, not just Japanese.

They had cultural displays and games as well.

Their hondo (temple) appears quite a bit larger than ours.

I didn't go inside. They opened it for a short service to talk about the meaning of Obon, but the band was playing outside and my friend said it was much like the service we had had that morning.

The band set up and played for a half hour before the dancers came out.

Occasionally there was a large uproar from the Bingo hall.

The band had a variety of singers, from traditionally clad to "J-Pop".

Finally it was time for the dancing. Ten traditional songs and dances were performed. Dance instructors took to the stage, and then everyone was invited to circle around and dance. Most wore Kimonos or Happy Coats, some knew the dances well, some not. There were old and young.

Here are a few clips of the dances, sorry for the amateur quality.

Bah...ok, you only get one. The other two (including my favorite one) are too large for blogger, and I'm not totally hip on how to go about editing video.

Anyway, I had a really great time. I didn't dance, as I just wanted to take it all in and see what goes on. Next year I would like to go to some of the dance practices so I know at least partially what I'm doing before joining in on the dancing next year.