*Calibration

Hello my pickles and friends.

It has been a while and many bloggable events have come and

gone. Sometimes I miss out on them and sometimes it's just better to let them rest in our memories. Whatever the case, sorry for the absence and delay.

At the moment, the house is clean, the kitten is clean and the island looks like it may cleanse itself after a few muggy days of vog. Spring cleaning is over and summer may begin.

Interestingly, as much as I have mocked the idea of master photographers and the like, I was recently given the opportunity to switch from one career to the other while staying diligently in the arts. I, Yumi Virginia Vong, am now an apprentice master wedding photographer. A few months ago, I claimed the email address of masterphotographer@me.com through Apple's MobileMe accounts and sure enough, it predicted my future.

Step 1 complete. Time to initiate Step 2: complete training in a different field, learn more about people and how they respond to life and apply to Step 3.

I've got the bike. Now, ride!

Personal Day, Please

When the conditions are right, so many things can change and happen within a few hours. Where would we be if he'd left for work a little earlier... what would it be like living in the other house... how anxious would I be working in a different field? This weekend, I came home to a kitten that began limping around just like her father once she saw his bandaged arm. His left paw hurt, therefore hers did as well. Witnessing the affinity between a human and their pet is an amazing thing and seeing this helped me realize how much we affect those around us—whether it be flora, fauna or man. To better serve my people and those dependent on me, I would like to request one day off so that I may recharge my batteries and find the sunshine once again. I know it's not too far...

Our Pirate Ship on Mohala Way

Tiny Bubbles

On Saturday, we brought home a 3 month old speck of kitten. We wondered whether we should call her Minou (the Second), Baby and a million other options, but decided to go with a Hawaiian name as she was born, raised, found and refound on the land. Kitten is all white with big blobs of grey all over and one perfect dot between her shoulder blades. She responds to the letter 'K'. After much debate, the name that fit her best was Kīkīkikiki, or Kīkī for short. Kīkī meaning bubbling, like Waikīkī and kikiki for tiny. Itʻs been an interesting weekend teaching this little one the rules of the house and the showing her the nooks of the Manoa.

Kīkī getting used to shutter sounds

Cranberry Artificial Tears

This was written on a report about me in 2007 from Johns Hopkins. Cranberry artificial tears. They must have forgotten the comma amidst the hustle and bustle of printing out recommended medications. A lot of things are on the table today: a registered letter in transit addressed to my past, a box of cards in the mail headed towards the future and the coming introduction of a new baby into the household. They say animals have a way of healing the human soul and I cannot wait to make a new best friend.

In loving memory of Minou, kitten extraordinaire, New York 2006