Atomik the cat

アトミ
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Black like licorice, as deeply plush as velvet, sweeter than molasses and one front paw short of a full set of limbs. Has less inhibition than a two year old and gives away enough love to fuel your heart for a lifetime.

Sbux Christmas Blend

Sbux Christmas Blend
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

It's here! The Starbucks Christmas Blend, that is.

Every morning I get off of the train one stop early because it is more convenient for me to go to the Starbucks that is right by the exit. It's always sunny at 9:50am, and people everywhere getting to their offices, and Starbucks is always busy. I order my tall drip and am ready to face the day.

Last year was my first time tasting the Sbux Christmas Blend. I have never been able to taste differences between blends well, but this one is seriously good. Strong and a little bitter, but very smooth. Get it while it's in season!

onion tears

onion tears
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Miss Ai is moved to tears by the onions she was slicing for this evening's dinner (肉じゃがand豚汁 YUM). Is it just me or do I kind of look like Shimura Ken in this photo?

red fish

red fish
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

For years I thought of this as "that red fish poster Mom has in the bathroom," and little did I know it was a Work of Art!

The Pushkin exhibit is in town. Maybe Miss Ai and I will go see the red fish.

Half Blood Prince

Half Blood Prince
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Ah, Harry Potter. Next week "The Goblet of Fire" is out at the theaters and after watching the trailers and reading the reviews I can't wait. "Half Blood Prince" was most excellent, as I am sure the kitty in this random photo I found online will agree.

Middlesex

Middlesex
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

I heard the author Jeffrey Eugenides give a talk on public radio not too long ago, and couldn't wait to see if his writing was as interesting as he was in person.

It is!

Never Let Me Go

Never Let Me Go
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

This was a BIG surprise. I had no idea what it was about when I began, and it just kept getting progressively creepier and fascinating as I went along. Touching and sad and made me an Ishiguro fan! Am now in the middle of "The Remains of the Day" and am still trying to work out how it can be written by the same author.

book

book
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Mom will be happy about this one. A friend moving abroad was clearing out her things and I picked this up. Written by a husband and wife team, it's very reader friendly and caused many revelatory "ah-ha!" moments.

Da Vinci Code

Da Vinci Code
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

I found a secondhand hardback of The Da Vinci code in Seattle right before I came to Tokyo, and brought it along for the plane ride. It ended up sitting in the closet for month until I got around to actually reading it...

Curious Incident

Curious Incident
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

I come from book-reading stock. English books can be pretty expensive in Tokyo (and slim pickings), so coming across a good read feels doubly special here.

I got this one from a co-worker, and finished it in a day. An autistic boy tries to solve a murder about a neighbor's dog.

ポッポ

ポッポ
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Poppo has this look, which I like to call the "Popo is having a rough day" look. It's a mix of desperation, fear, anxiety and eminent nervous breakdown. But all this melts away into blissful contentment when Miss Ai (or to Popo, Mom) shows up. Even better if it's time for bed and Popo can burrow under the covers and feel safe.