Hello again.

It has been rough. I have thought about blogging the last month and a half, but I just couldn't bring myself to write about anything.

The elections results have been incredibly, incredibly devastating to me. The emotions have been that raw, and I'm surprised at myself for feeling so committed and so devastated.  This really is a first.  And I continue to live with a sort of dread of what is going to happen to this country in the coming years. When I look at the long list of policies this incoming administration has planned to do away with...I'm left speechless.

School lunches, women serving in the military, net neutrality, many policies around immigration--it's mind boggling.  Truly mind-blowing.  More to come on this later.

But today!! I celebrate coming back to this blog and I leave behind a message from our ED the morning after the election results rolled in.

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"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." MLK

This morning we have to have faith.

It would have been great to have 4 or 8 years of the easier part of the path... to be on cruise control towards justice....but like generations upon generations before us, moving forward will require our hard work.

And like generations before us, we will rise to the occasion, to create a better future for ourselves and for those who will come after us, even if that takes time. Even if for awhile we lose more than we win.

We did not misread the promise of our country. We did not misread the promise in ourselves. We are still in the long process of creating who we are. It is still ours to realize.

This morning we are still stronger together.

The only shot we have for resisting and moving forward is to come together with even more understanding and enthusiasm to fight for our common rights and welfare, and to take care of each other.

We are going to have to be smart and focused; look for opportunities at the local and state level; flex civil disobedience when necessary, but most important...we have to show up for each other.

This morning we can mourn, of course, but then we need to prepare to get ready to work.

Welcome to the long part of the arc. We are here together.

...and we voted!

Chris and I spent Friday night studying the California ballot.  I was scared of Tuesday lines so instead we voted early today...and it took 3 hours! I am so awe inspired to cast a vote for possibly (hopefully!!) the first US woman president ---#Imwithher!! 

The line was absolutely insane- we got there at 3pm and turned in our ballot at 5:45pm. I love how pumped up everyone is to vote and the commitment of waiting to make their voices heard! It was fun to overhear people's conversations to keep themselves entertained--from movies, to favorite directors, museums, the best exercises for your hips, and of course ballot talk among friends.  We met a 70+ woman who emigrated to the US from Iran in 1946, and talked about how the US has changed so much since she's been here. She said she's thankful to be living in California given all that is going on in the rest of the U.S. and she was adamant to wait in line to vote. 

This is us at the very end of the line (in shock)...the line snaked around 3 of these types of buildings! 

Only 2 more hours...and we'll be able to vote. 

YAY!! 

and then we treated ourselves to delicious peanut oil fried chicken, fluffy biscuits, and coleslaw at Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken in Culver City. Totally made our day, and we had to go after we talked about it with others in line! 

Happy Halloween!

Isn't this terrifying?!!?!?!  Why are Chris' lips so red?! My parents met an artist (as they often do) who offered to draw a portrait of Chris and I after my mom told the artist that I had just gotten married.

This is the result! My mom and I couldn't stop laughing when we saw this....and I thought it only appropriate to share on Halloween night, because it is so incredibly terrifying!!!

Hillary!

This weekend a few friends and I drove to Las Vegas, Nevada to canvass for Hillary. I have never canvassed before so it was a really new experience and I'm glad I made a contribution to this election.

We did three sessions--mainly just getting the vote out and asking people to vote early. They asked us not to engage or escalate any situations, and just talk to people who are registered Democrat voters about voting early and the congress and senate races.  Here we are after a full day of canvassing!

Some observations:

1. Nevada and Florida have the largest number of volunteer canvassers from outside of the state. Everyone at the Hillary campaign volunteering to canvass was from California! Maybe the transient nature of Vegas explains this?

2. People were really reluctant to open the door and/or surprised that a stranger knocked at their door. I would feel the same way...we aren't used to having people knock on our door unless we know who they are.  In a way, that makes me think as a society we are isolating ourselves and fear each other.

3. We take exercising our right to vote  for granted.  People are annoyed that we tell them about early voting polling areas or that we even bother to talk about voting. We didn't engage in convincing people, just telling them to remember to vote.

4. I met an undecided voter...I am confused as to how anyone can still be undecided.

5. This election cycle is really taking a toll on everyone's psyche--I can't wait til it is over.  And I fear the politicking that may commence after the election if Hillary wins. I fear what will happen to this country if she doesn't win.

6.  Young people own huge houses in Vegas---property is so cheap! We stayed with friends from ND, and they had TWO guest bedrooms!

7. Vegas at night is inspiring and exciting with all the lights! The Bellagio fountains are majestic and make you feel hopeful :) But, Vegas in the day is not so exciting.

8. I saw trees that had green branches!

Happy Marriage Anniversary!

This Wednesday, Chris and I celebrated our 2 year marriage anniversary, based on our official paper wedding.  The official date was Monday, Oct 24, but I had to go see Maria Semple talk about her new book...so we did a mid-week celebration!  

We went to Gjelina. It's one of those LA restaurants everyone raves about on Abbot Kinney and it was very yummmy!! How can mushroom toast be so delicious? 

Chris' new pose...always massaging the left shoulder to ease that herniated disc pain. We got a nice window seat. I feared the restaurant would be pretentious and over-rated, but it was neither of those things and pleasantly comfortable and rustic.

A new favorite store selling household fixtures and books. It's so pretty!

Finished the night with a fall special flavor...called the Great Candycopia (vanilla ice cream with chunks of Halloween candy)  at Salt and Straw!

After two years of marriage- we are still happy as clams :) not much has changed since our dating days and I think that's a good sign.

Pick me ups

Things that bring me joy these days,  in no particular order. 

Being seaside and eating by candle light at Moonshadows, Malibu. Tip: make sure to ask for outdoor seating

Ten Don - tempura bowls! Why did it take me so long to find you? Also, it makes me happy that a whole cuisine acknowledges a bowl of fried things on rice as a delicious and acceptable meal.

Cards at Paper Source...okay, the whole store of Paper Source. hehe.  I look forward to meandering around Paper Source, it just brings a smile.

Getting messages from old friends---I miss you D.C. and Abt grad friends! 

Pie!!! from Sugar Pie, Honey Buns...cannot get over their pies and adorable name.

Random acts of kindness from a stranger and a huge not so random act of generosity from our amazing landlord, who is letting Chris and I stay in our apartment one more year (Thank you!).

Portobello Mushroom Fries...and people watching at Bouttega Louie.  (also being really good at hovering over people, and grabbing tables! oh the joy :)! and eating pretty desserts.

Best friend meet ups!  Dhaval and Chris ...almost turn into different people when they are together. It's so funny to watch and I'm so happy we got to meet up.

City views from a top, and eavesdropping on how people use outdoor space! 

October thoughts I can't let go of

1. Health
In the past week and a half, Chris has seen a doctor 3 times, I have seen my doctor/dentist 3 times. Chris has a severe herniated disc in his neck (his C6-C7 is protruding out 3/4 of his spine, pretty scary stuff), and is getting PT and steroid injections, on top of intense ice pack sessions on his neck at home and lying down on the floor while at work (LOL).  The doctor thinks it happened during weight lifting.  Hopefully, he will be able to play hockey again one day, and hopefully, we can solve this problem without him having to get surgery. Everyone--- please be careful.

My problems are less severe, but maybe only because I caught them now instead of later. I have many discs-in my jaw (extreme teeth grinding), in my lumbar spine (no idea why, but I've always had random lower back pain) , and I don't think I can call this a disc, but I sometimes feel a weakness and discomfort around my right wrist (bad posture at work).  I also discovered a small thingamajig on the bottom of my tongue- and my dentist thinks they have to surgically remove it- but not cancerous!

My problems are being solved with - a new mouth guard, PT and strengthening of lower back muscles, and an ergonomic assessment, and ultimately a changing of habits in posture, exercise, diet, and stress management.

Health is one of those things that you don't really pay attention to until you have to, and sometimes until it is too late. It's like money, when you have enough you don't think about it too much, when you don't have enough, or you are pain, it is a major and constant source of stress and unhappiness. My mom said it right- its the most important thing, but its the least urgent.

So needless to say, health is on our minds this month and its been a rather somber month for us.

2. Eating healthy
Related to health is food of course. Last month I considered taking on new eating habits--I chose the temple diet, and it lasted about a week, before we found ourselves eating KBBQ with friends from out of town and BBQ sandwiches in SLO. But during that week, I discovered the magic of mushrooms! (not the drug, but real mushrooms!) This is one of my favorite new recipes. We also learned that we feel better, lighter, and to some degree, happier when we don't eat meat.

Given our health problems- we are now being more conscious of our weight and diet. Weight- because we want to lessen the burden of our spine and all it needs to carry, and diet--cause we are feeling the age!! So, our new diet change (for life) is to eat as much vegetarian as possible, if we do have meat, eat primarily chicken, turkey and fish, and limit red meat to no more than once a week, better if once month.  Low sugar, low carbs.  I don't think we have a particularly bad diet now, but we do like to eat out a lot.

3. 2016 Presidential Elections
If you don't know already- I'm with her! and well, I've always been with her! But this election cycle has been troubling and demoralizing, and I feel it has really brought our nation to a new low. In the midst of that...there is so much good humor.

This made me LOL.
This also made me LOL.

I plan to go to Nevada to campaign for Hillary at the end of the month, stay tuned- it will be a new experience for me, but I suspect it will feel good to put action behind thoughts.

4. Voting on CA laws
This is more than the presidential election. There are so many different ballots to vote on and so much research to do. It is the first time I really feel invested in voting for someone I believe reflects my values at the state legislation level. The CA voting book and the ballots...its like the size of a mini dictionary, 200+ pages!  I am a little surprise to learn that LA Times endorsements are not always what I agree with.

5. Bougainvillea & Lotus flowers
I really love Bougainvilleas. They are so beautiful, and luckily they grow all over Southern California. Whenever I see overgrown bougainvilleas, I have to take a picture. I also love lotus flowers. After years of trying to grow lotus flowers in our pond at home in Korea, my dad FINALLY succeeded! One of the seven seeds he planted made it to flower status. It is breathtakingly awesome.

I have been thinking about this a lot, but I think I love these flowers so much because they remind me of my grandmother, my mom's mom. She passed away last December, and of course being away, I never got to say goodbye. I love my grandmother very very much, she helped raise me and my siblings when we were little and I was always so interested in her life story.  One day, I will write more about her and her passing.

What I remember most about my grandma's house in Korea- is her bougainvilleas. She had an amazing green thumb, and even though it was Seoul, South Korea, she was able to grow bushels of bougainvilleas on her veranda. She was also a devout Buddhist, and for most of her life, she practiced the Buddhist lifestyle, never trying to do any harm to anyone even at her discomfort. Lotus flowers feature prominently in Buddhist culture. I think that's why I love these flowers so much, and I'm lucky that here in California- I am able to see them almost at every turn, and as a result, am reminded of my grandma and her life as I go through my own life. If I had had more time, I would've somehow incorporated them into our wedding, but for another occasion.

In front of a restaurant in Northern Hollywood, before my podcast!

In Beverly Hills--- not looking too happy about posing with flowers.

I am seriously, so impressed with my dad! This is 10 cm in diameter. I always grew up with those beautiful orange flowers-- but the huge lotus leaves and lotus flowers are something else. I wish I could see it in person.  Is this not amazing?

6. Instagram
I have never used instagram because I thought it was like facebook but only pictures, and I never really got the appeal of it. But these days...whoa. I've taken facebook off my phone and instead spend time on instagram! I love following strangers.

This podcast about Instagram on NPR's How I built this was- insightful
I love National Geographic instagrams! - this one in particular gave me pause.
She is so thoughtful- this is my favorite one.

7. Living life meaningfully but also living my life.
How do I explain this? It's like the conflict of taking time to do things that are meaningful and important, like spending as much time with my grandma before she got sick, but also living my life. I didn't have words for this, until I heard Jonathan Safran Foer describe the premise of his new book, Here I Am, on Fresh Air.  I cannot wait to pick this book up.

8. How fast this year has gone by...
Okay, it is only mid-October. But I already know what I'm doing most of the weekends and weeks until Dec 31.  That to me, means its January. I have this crazy habit of going through my calendar incessantly- thinking about financial goals, family goals, and career goals and ideal, and realistic, achievement timelines, and before I know it, I'm already in 2020!! I am trying to embrace the day to day and stop this madness of goal achievements!