Lazy night

"Let's never leave the couch again"

Check up

"I'm not very happy with you right now"

Happy St Patrick's Day

My choir, The Rockridge Chorale, had two of our St Patrick's Day concerts today. There was about an hour between and we got to relax in the beautifully landscaped courtyard of the second nursing home. It was a wonderful way to spend a day with good friends!
Xoxo

Sari

Today I am going to see a film about the exploitation of women in India, "Petals in the Dust". My choir director, Devi, let me borrow a sari and dressed me. I will post later about how the night goes.
Xoxo

Lunar New Year

Thursday was the Lunar New Year and Friday, Monday, and Tuesday we had parties, celebrations, and performances at Hong Fook. Everyone has made me feel so welcome: even down to including me on the dance team!

This is the Vietnamese fan dance, performed by Hong Fook Harrison nurses and social workers. They brought me a traditional dress: I'll post pictures once I get them!

The Hong Fook Center dance team

Miss Kim on the left is our Korean nurse. Michelle on the right is the activities coordinator (chief fun instigator and dance choreographer)

The Lion Dance musicians

I especially like how colorful everything is!

We give the lion red envelope "lucky money" to bring fortune in the next year.

It is good luck to touch the lion. The dancers made sure to visit every client.

Watching over 

Laurie, one of the PTs, has been instrumental in my cultural education

Lettuce is hung to feed the lions, who in turn spit it back out as wealth and fortune. 

Fighting over the stick

The black lion is offering a peach, a symbol of longevity for the new year because peaches last a long time.

Being tamed

Eating the lettuce

"Happy New Year!" 

I love all of the beautiful silk!

Loi, our nursenliason 

Aimee, our dietician and the reason I have any clue about the symbolism involved in New Year 

Jan, the Hong Fook Harrison PT, and Jenny, the Program Director. Jenny is an incredible, kind boss who has welcomed me and does everything she can to include me and make sure I'm part of the Hong Fook family. 

How blessed am I?!? .

Kim, my primary translator and great buddy, on the Hong Fook Harrison side.

 I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Hong Fook family and am looking forward to the next year with them! Xoxo 

Vacation!

I get to go to Maui in April! I've let my excitement take over and made a map so that I can plan out the trip. Horray!!!

Xoxo

Purple!

Ready for Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year!

Long hike!

I went hiking from Stinson Beach to Mill Valley on Saturday with two new friends. What might have been 14 miles turned into 19! We had a blast and avoided most of the rain, which was great!

The last mile marker on the Dipsea Trail.

Everything is so green!

That way!!!

Looking down on Muir Woods

Really? I get to live here?

Bridge selfie

Pretending to be tired

Start and end at the beach....perfect!xoxo

My office assistant