Momo and Mama

Momo and I were photographed the other day at our annual Japanese Community Picnic. I can't stop looking at the photo because
1: I actually like the way I look (or at least I am not appalled by it)
and
2: I can't get over how grown up Momo looks.

Seriously...she seems to have grown up overnight! I love it and it makes me sad, all at the same time.

Last night as I was putting Momo to bed she suddenly started singing Brittany Spears (which is not at all her type of music)...anyhow, she plopped down on her bed, got in her covers then sang out (ala Brittany) "I'm not that innocent" to which I replied "Ughhhh, you better be". It was pretty funny but pretty much captured how I have been feeling lately!

Happenings

Momo is growing up.
She graduated from 8th grade in May and is really looking forward to Freshman year (which starts next week).

Mango is growing up too...He's going to be a junior this year! Luckily Momo and Mango (and friends) all enjoy hanging out together.

All in all, the kids are cool and so are the dogs...

Cut To The Chase

It's been a while since I have blogged, but I have something to say and I'm just gonna cut to the chase.

The other day after school Momo told me that one of her friends had snuck away with a boy during lunch and proceeded to give him a handjob and let him touch her...down there...

My response (internally): GOOD FUCKING GAWD!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!! WHAT THE HELL!!!! YOU GIRLS ARE ONLY IN 8th GRADE!!! CRAP-SHIT-FUCK-DAMN!!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!

My response (externally): Wow Momo...how do you feel about that?

Despite my calm external demeanor, thankfully Momo was as distraught as I was internally.

She said she felt sad for her friend, and worried that she would get a bad reputation.

She wondered how her friend could do such a thing even though she has "good parents" then she reflected that though this girls parents are "good", like a lot of other parents they are not ones she could really talk to about things.

She talked about how much pressure there is for girls to do things that they are not ready to do and then said that this was a big reason why she doesn't want a boyfriend.

All in all it was a good conversation. Momo learned more about herself and what she wants and she also got to explore the idea that someday she might feel differently. Ultimately, I was so happy that Momo still feels safe enough to talk to me about anything...and that she does.

We chatted a bit more then Momo went upstairs to do some homework and I went to the kitchen where I proceeded to (externally) do the dishes and (internally) scream GOOD FUCKING GAWD!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!! WHAT THE HELL!!!! YOU GIRLS ARE ONLY IN 8th GRADE!!! CRAP-SHIT-FUCK-DAMN!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Sweet 16

Last night we attended the end of the season water polo banquet where Mango received the Boys Varsity Water Polo - Warrior Award.

It is a huge honor as it is the coaches favorite award and reflects the character, commitment and courage of the awardee.

Mango's coach teared up as he gave the award to Mango...he told him that he was proud of him and though he has faced much adversity (being an openly gay high school water polo player) Mango has shown true character and fearlessness...It was cool.So, that was last night...and tonight we are celebrating Mango's Sweet Sixteen!

I cant believe it!

Mango is 16...Dear Gawd....

In case you were worried, he WON'T be driving any time soon.

Oh no...NOT ANY TIME SOON!

The Great Straight Alliance

This is going to crack you up...

Mango participates in just about every club he can possibly manage in his schedule and at the high school football game this past Friday he had to work at 3 different booths doing fundraising. I am still not sure how he managed to be at all three booths at the same time, but the social butterfly that he is... He managed.He managed.

Anyways...Mango has been working really hard with a few other students at his school to form a GSA club. They have been meeting and organizing and finally, at the football game, they began fundraising.

Mango was at the GSA booth selling rainbow cupcakes and pride-filled brownies when one of his waterpolo teammates mother walked by. She stopped and said hi to Mango and proceeded to ask him what GSA stood for. Mango, without flinching (because he is out and proud, remember) said that GSA stood for Gay Straight Alliance.
Mango told me she paused for a moment and the old man next to her seemed to freeze.

Mango says it felt tense for a moment then his teammates mother asked again "what was that Mango?". Mango pridefully told her again that GSA meant Gay Straight Alliance to which Mango said, she puffed up a bit and replied

"Oh wonderful mango! The GREAT STRAIGHT ALLIANCE!"

OH NO SHE DI'INT!!!!!

Oh yes she did!

She thought (or hoped) that GSA, the new very active club on campus, was the Great Straight Alliance. This wasn't much of a surprise to me (actually I am surprised that she didn't get mad) because despite living on the coast in California in what appears to be a little slice of heaven with a side of hippie surfer...our town is regrettably conservative (and intolerant).

We have a fundamentalist church in town that is trying to take over and the masses are buying the message (which is wrought with intolerance and contradiction).

Anyhow, Mango told me that he and his friends were stumped by the woman's stupidity. She was happy to support the Great Straight Alliance by buying one of their rainbow cupcakes and as she walked away one of the girls whispered "yeah, that's right...bitch better buy a cupcake"

Which I think was the perfect response.

NABLOPO-NO!

I failed!

AGAIN!

I was so busy yesterday and forgot to post something!!! I actually talked about the fact that I needed to post something, but we were visiting my parents and I just plain didn't have time!

I am so peeved at myself but I am going to try my best to keep posting...

Please let me know if there is anyone out there who will even read my posts!

I try to keep it random and fun...just like these cucumber and salty plum (ume) sushi rolls.

Charlie and R. Kelly

Here is a pic of our puppy Charlie with his "uncle" Milo a.k.a. R. Kelly.

Please take a second to read about how R. Kelly got his nickname (and it wasn't for his good voice!)