Birthdays and Anniversary

Last week I went to Toronto to celebrate my friend Stephi's great Aunt Flora's 100th birthday. Aunty Flora is the matriarch of this incredible family and helped raise several generations of children. Stephi's family is huge and there are an abundance of Aunts, Uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, second cousins, half brothers and half sisters. I was once again overwhelmed by the sheer number of family, although a bit less overwhelmed this time around because I had met a lot of them last summer for Stephi's wedding. Once again, I was made to feel very welcomed and one of the family. I have been adopted into their family and feel truly loved by them. Imagine meeting about 140 people and every time being introduced as "my daughter". It was lovely.

This weekend is my 2 year Anniversary being home from Japan. I am glad that I am home, although I have pangs of missing my life there and sometimes wish I could be in two places at once. However, I think that I have settled back in to reality and am enjoying Vancouver.

On other news, I am continuing with pottery and have managed to make some more lopsided mugs and bowls. I call it "Wabi Sabi", the Japanese art of imperfection. I still really like it and have been challenged by my friend Barney to make a fruit bowl. I tried to do it last week, but darn my small hands and my inability to bring the clay up to centre it. I am determined that I am going to get it done.