The Move

For the longest time I have always wanted to move to the city, to Wan Chai specifically. Now we are finally here! It took 5 years, two homes in Lantau, many animals and tons of accumulated furniture before the fortuitous event finally happened.

My parents were in town when the move took place. They were very helpful, but at the same time drove me crazy. The other already crazy family member, Barney, was on the other hand quite happy. Food was falling from the heaven and my mom was  his God. Barney relished all the attention and the food so much that he started having that crazed look in his eyes and started misbehaving... again! Barney! OFF!

He peed and pooped in the house because he was literally full of food. Mama thought he's such a poor thing and that he's always starving. Mother! OFF!

The over-feeders and the dragon dog.

On the day of the move, amidst all the spectacle, poop and pee, Frodo was quite relaxed. Sita on the other hand was M.I.A. The movers swooped in with their brawn and bubble wrap, and commenced dismantling our worldly possessions and carted all the boxes which contained pieces of stuff that represent our material life.

I love boxes!

It's been 6 days and my helpful parents flew back home. The apartment in the city is finally quiet and feels settled. The cats all adjusted quite nicely and Barney has been spanked and put back to his place in the hierarchy - bottom. 

New adventures are looming. Now to get back into the groove.....

It's Cold!

Barney: Hey buddy, can I squeeze in? It's soooo cold!

Frodo: You need a bath. 

Keep warm everyone!

Last Class in Chianti

Here we are. It finally happened. My last day teaching in Chianti. Suddenly it's very quiet in the room and very quiet in my mind. More space has been created perhaps? I'm not even sure if I'm sad or happy, and the space in between my eyebrows, I feel narrowing. 

I built the classes here from hope. Hoping somebody will come in the door. Hoping somebody will send me an email. Hoping that they will stay. Hoping that they will like me. Hoping that they will pay. Hoping that they will bring their friends. Hoping that they enjoyed. Hoping that I can teach more.

In between the hoping was a lot of learning, and in between the learning was a lot of scary emotions. These waves of different emotions either pulls me high up with the birds, or drags me down flat on my face with the hermit crabs, leaving me bemused and frazzled. Facing the class became an integral part in grounding me, keeping me away from the crazy.

I learned who I am building the classes here. I also learned so much from my students, good and bad. I especially learned how much I love yoga. That my relationship with it has blossomed and has become uncontrolling and forgiving. 

2009 was all about change. 2010 is about moving forward with the changes. Let's see where my next class will take me.

Can't wait!

Serena

After walking around the market in Moalboal, Larry, Lotte and I ended up in this store to score some orange soda. It was quite warm and we needed to drink something cool especially after playing with some firecrackers. While we were hanging around the store, we came across this very cute kitten. The three of us were instantly enamored!

Please take me home.

A debate soon followed on whether or not we should take her home. We stated the pros and cons, and more importantly how Mr. Shock would react. In the end, of course we all agreed that taking her with us is the best decision. 

Lotte and I discussing

Now that we have a new kitty, we have to name her. Janice recommended the name Cuchina. We all thought that it sounds like kusina or kitchen. So that was scrapped. Lotte, after naming all her dogs after the Power Puff Girls and outgrowing that era of cartoons, appropriately named the kitty, Serena. After one of the lead girls in Gossip Girl. No more Power Puff Girls for this teenager!

Serena!

We took Serena home and Mr. Shock wasn't shocked or angry at all. He was even quite protective of Serena (the dog was trying to eat her). Here she is showing off her Halloween move on Bubbles, our Power Puff named Labrador Retriever. 

Don't you dare dog! I've got moves!

Welcome to the family Serena!

Goodbye Wongy

We were in Cebu when it happened. Ludy sent an sms early in the morning to tell us that Wongy passed.

R.I.P. Wongy

Before we left, he was singing a strange song. He sounded totally different. Late one night, I got out of bed to check what was happening. I got him out of the cage and cuddled him. Before he allowed me to cuddle him, I got a couple of pecks on my hand of course. While being cuddled, Barney had to check out the cage just in case there might be more seed husks for him to hoover.

More seeds? 

Sita and Wongy are friends. She likes to sleep on top of his cage, I guess for Wongy it's more like sleeping with the enemy! When we moved house before, we moved Wongy first. Sita seeing that the table where Wongy's cage sits is empty, started to cry. She jumped on the table, smelling and crying. Of course they were reunited the following day.

Sita and Wongy

You will be missed little fella. Now you are free to fly....