My daughter’s school sent a note to all the parents and guardians. The note says that recently some students needed to be sent home due to the cold symptoms such as high fever and coughs. The school asks us not to send our children in case they have any cold symptoms for other students’ safety.

I thought of my daughter and found out one thing.

She has not gotten sick this winter.

According to my last year’s calendar, she took a sick leave from school in last February for two days. It was after a snowy cold day.

In this winter we had some snowy cold days at the end of last year and the beginning of this year. Even such cold days, my daughter did not catch a cold in this winter.

It’s amazing to know she has been building a stronger immune system.

For us parents, it is always amazing to know our children’s progresses and growth..

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

Today’s acupuncture treatment was something new. After discussed with my acupuncturist, we decided to add Tui Na massage with ear acupuncture.

After I came back, my glucose level was 107, which was pretty good for me.

This is my fourth acupuncture treatment from my second acupuncturist. For the previous three times, the glucose level after the treatment was not good very much. They were 148, 121, and 148, respectively. Compared with the previous three results, today’s result was much improved.

This was my first time to receive Tui Na massage. I had a quick one for 15 minute at the Chinese medicine fair, but that does not count.

With today’s therapy of Tui Na massage combined with ear acupuncture, I melted. I loved it so much. I wish I could receive Tui Na massage therapy every week.   

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

This morning when I was almost back home from the school bus stop, I saw one neighbor boy walking toward the bus stop. He missed the bus. Recently he missed the bus many times. Every time when I asked him if he needed a ride to school, he politely answered he would be fine.

His house is three doors down from our house. When I passed by his house, I saw his mom standing on the street.

The mom asked if her boy missed the bus. I said yes.

The mom told me a quick story. After she saw her boy got ready to leave the house this morning, she went back to her choirs. She is a busy mom with her four children including a new born. When the mom came back to the living room, she was astonished finding her son sleeping on the couch.

While the mom went back to her room to get ready in order to give him a ride, her boy already took off.

By the time she finished telling me the quick story, the boy was walking on the street around 100 meters (330 feet) away from us.

Now, it was my turn to be astonished.

The mom called her boy’s name at the top of her lungs. Her voice was really loud. It followed by her finger whistling, which was also clear high pitch tone, and very loud.

I thought it cool of her to be able to finger-whistle in such a clear high pitch tone.

While I lived in Japan, I hardly ever heard anybody finger-whistling in the daily life. Here in America on the other hand, I heard many people did so in the daily life, even in my daughter’s school. Even small kids can finger whistle.

Finger-whistling is one of my favorite abilities of Americans that I admire.   

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

In today’s news letter from Hay House, the CEO wrote down about a bucket list. He recommended the readers to think about their bucket list.

I thought about it. I sat down quietly in front of a blank paper to write down my bucket list.

— Nothing particular came out. —

I thought it interesting.

Contrary with my current age, my bucket list in my younger days was a very long list. Most of my bucket list items happened naturally. And I learned from my personal experiences that everything happened in their right and best timing.  

So now I know, all my desires will happen in their right and best timing.

It is good to be aged. We learn from our own experiences and see things from a bigger and wider perspective, comprehensively.

I think I am at the best place with the best people in my life. I appreciate everything I have provided.

***

This evening we had Zui-un. There was rainbow colored lights in the thin-layered clouds. It was beautiful.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

My family and I went to the Asian market in Tucson.

Their parking lot was almost full, which was very rare. When we entered the store, we were welcomed lots of colorful new year’s decorations. Chinese New Year is coming closer.

Later on, I learned Chinese New Year ranges from January 21 to February 20. For this year 2019, it is set on February 5th.

I recall my days in Japan. My office was close to China town. I liked to see their celebration performances such as Dragon Dance.

I have acrophobia, fear of heights, since I was very small. Every time I see somebody who can go up very high, like in a circus show or a dragon dance, I admire them for their brave action.

I look forward to seeing their performances next month.            

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

My daughter told me they had a minor lockout at school today.

My heart started pounding. Lockout for what?

My daughter gave a cute smile and continued explaining.

In the playground at school, one javelina showed up. My daughter’s teacher kept the students in the classroom. She went to the playground alone to chase the javelina out. She called it a minor lockout.

She reported her brave action proudly to the class. I am glad to know the lockout was really a minor one, not a serious one.

My daughter told me the teacher discussed with the class about a real lockout. They discussed about what they should do in case a bad guy comes into the classroom.

The students brainstormed about how to protect themselves. They mentioned to throw something heavy to a bad guy whatever they can find, to scream at the top of their lungs for help, to scratch a bad guy’ face, or to swiftly run away from a bad guy. Somebody mentioned he would unplug the microwave and throw it to a bad guy. Their classroom has a microwave.

In my childhood, we never discussed this kind of topic in school. I am glad the teacher gave the class the opportunity to think about what-if scenario. It encouraged students to escape and survive from any kinds of disasters.

We parents want our kids to stay safe all the time.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

Three mornings straight I had the same dream. In the dream I was with somebody. I was holding hands with the person.

When I work up, I thought of the person. The person seems to me has a male energy. The person could be my dad in Japan, or my son-in-spirit. It could be both.

I felt the person is thinking of me, missing me, and loving me. I feel the same way.

It always good to know somebody is there for me. I appreciate the thoughts and love.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

My daughter participated to Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. The winners will be invited to Japan for 3 nights trip and enjoy some sightseeing including Toyota factory. I think this award trip will be one of the unforgettable life events for the winners and their guardians. It will be great to make friends with kids from other different counties.  

I really hope my daughter will become one of the winners.

That being said, I know winning is not everything. We can learn a lot from the process of participating.

This is her third participation to art contests. I will keep an eye on any other art contests and encourage my daughter to participate.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪