The Year of Reconnection

I hope everyone is having a happy holidays! I can’t believe this year is ending in10 hours…What have I done this year?

PASSION

My year started with organizing a Go Fund Me for our dear deer friend, the president of East Hampton Group for Wildlife and a psychology professor Bill Crain whom I most respect. He was sentenced to jail for ten days for protesting the Black Bear hunting in New Jersey. His courage and compassion has inspired many, and has been recognized and given a Hero award by PeTA. The group for wildlife is a non profit organization that always appreciate any donations you may be able to offer in order to keep fighting for wildlife.

My daughter and her friends, our rescued puppy Gigi and I marched with Bill and his physician wife Ellen ( they also run Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary upstate NY.) proudly at the St. Patric’s Day parade which was organized by the wildlife rescuer, an East Hampton town trustee, Dell Cullum. The girls have earned some community service credits from Dell for participating in his Beach & road side cleanup club last year, but not this year as Dell did not do it for a reason. But that doesn’t stop us, and we of course always pick up garbage when we walk Gigi on the beach etc. I also avoid purchasing pet bottled water etc. and trying to recycle more. Some of my Christmas gifts were to-go cups and didn’t buy any gift bags to wrap them. I hope everyone will bring a cup to their cafe, if not, avoid those plastic top and straw. Every one of us’ effort could change the world! We truly believe that we are supposed to live in harmony with all living kinds, and take good care of our only home, planet Earth.

My family and I are strongly against guns. There was a walkout at my daughter’s high school, which the students voluntary participated. It was such relief to witness many students turned 18 registered to vote at the rally. They are our bright future! So have no fear and love! As my God John Lennon said, Love is the answer and you know that for sure!

The most wonderful activist and an amazing artist April Gornik invited me to the bus she had organized to go to the city for another Women’s March. There, I met my dearest friend Maxine and her friend who is a spiritual person! We felt that we’ve known each other in our past life at Versailles. We also felt that it was not a good idea to be around so many people many of whom had angry energy ( The rally was a peaceful one as the first one) we decided to send our positive energy over sake at one of my favorite Japanese restaurants Otoya instead! That’s more like it..

FAMILY

My athlete daughter turned 16, and is a junior in high school this year! This summer, she’s achieved a still water life guard license, worked almost the whole summer and bought a new surfboard herself. She also got a learner’s permit to drive! I will be retired from my chauffeur job soon ;D She’s made varsity teams for both basketball and softball again.
She also studies hard, the proud dad decided that she deserves a surfing trip to Barbados that she had dreamed of!

She also participated in another dog walk fundraiser for the local animal shelter arf, and raised about $600.

The complicated legal issue of my family in Japan is finally moving forward, since we’ve got a lawyer as a guardian for my mother. Knowing she has been taken good care of at the assisted living home I moved her in last year, I no longer wake up in the middle of night worrying about my family. Thank you God. This year’s visit to Japan was mainly to attend my cousin’s wedding. I was happy to see my youngest cousins that I hadn’t seen more than twenty years. I met my nephew’s and my brother’s girl friends, and visited the restaurant my niece works at. I also had some great time with my old friends who make me feel at home!

WHAT I LOVE

Since I stopped working for my longest client of 11 years , I’ve spent more time with my family, doing things like… watching Friends ( almost done! Did you hear the rumor about Netflix is removing it soon??) over dinner, attending Art events etc., which were not always their things..! I so appreciate their efforts! The best one was the David Byrne concert and also to watch Bohemian Rhapsody. My daughter now loves Queen’s songs and she’s trying to play them on piano and trumpet, I play them on my bass!

I have never watched Tennis on TV and don’t even know it’s rule, but I’m taking lessons and enjoying it very much! (the best part is to wear tennis skort! )

I also took a couple of writer’s workshops to write a book about my life.. in order to gain my audience, I started my blog page Tokyo Mod Girl with a great help of my graphic designer friend Courtney!

FRIENDS!

I had blasts this year with my friends on many occasions like fundraisers for LongHouse Reserve, my B-52’s party, Halloween party that I dressed like Jacquie .O, The ladies cocktail party ( the dress code : the 60’s Futuristic ), the 80’s dance parties etc.! My family friend and my hair & make up savior Fernando is THE best gay friend a girl could ask for!

I also made some new friends including the cool artist Laurie Anderson, environmental activist Edwina Von Gal and my favorite Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall, who kindly follows me on twitter & Instagram!!

My coolest friend and my mentor Dianne .B keeps making me smarter every time I see her! The best event I went with her was the film about the Egyptian singer Oum Kulthum. Dianne of course knew the Iranian director Shirin Neshat and I got to meet her.

Dianne also invited me to the NYC Ballet event at Guild Hall for my birthday and introduced me to a vice chairman of NYC Ballet, who loved my costume designs! The powerful chairman is connecting me to NYC Ballet! I love Dianne!

Another cool friend of mine, Holly introduced me to her friend and former Vanity Fair photographer, Sharon Suh. Sharon who loved my costumes, gave me a fun and generous photo shoot! It was my dream come true, and I felt like the Queen!

I saw an acquaintance who I hadn’t seen this year at the dance party this past Saturday. She asked me how I’ve been doing with my severe migraine attacks that happened in the last two years. I was touched that she remembered it, and was glad to tell her that I didn’t have it this year! I have nothing to get stressed about, detoxed heavy metals and avoiding some seafood I love, taking lots of vitamins, meditating and working out regularly.

Over all… it was a year of reconnecting with my family and my self. I am so grateful for what I have given in this life and so happy that you are reading this! Here is to you and to a very Happy New Year!!

Much Love, y.