I am feeling rather odd at the moment. Not really sure why. Today was another down and up kind of day.

I struggled to crawl out of bed in time to make it to MZI by 11am, which meant I had to be up by 10am at the latest. Somehow I did manage to do that. I dressed and went out to the backyard to gather some of the yellow irises and white calla lilies for Master Zhao and Wendy. I took the vase I bought yesterday and filled it with luke warm water. It felt better to be outside in the sun, and while picking and cutting the flowers, I observed the rest of the backyard. Back inside, I placed the vase on the dining table and started to arrange them somewhat. Mom said, I need to smile since I'm with such nice flowers; that my dreary-looking face didn't go with them. I tried, but couldn't. Too early in the day to feel up to putting on a smile :( Mom tells me I should eat something before I leave, otherwise, Master Zhao will comment again that I hadn'teaten anything. I ate some of the potstickers in the soup she made last night.

Dad came in while I arranged the flowers and started to complain to me about what's going on with Dinky. Why hadn't I taken care of it yet? What have I been doing with all my hours? “You have so much time on your hands, why don't you do something about it?EOh, crap. I don't want to deal with this. Not now. I don't have the energyEI tell him, "l take care of it laterE(in my head, I meant in the time between my 11am appt at MZI and 3:15pm when I tutor Soyoka). Oops, wrong choice of words, of course.

"Later, laterEo it now! When is later?! How long has it been not taken care of? Etc, etcE

"I have an appointment that I have to go to now. I'll take care of it when I get back, ok?E

"You should do it now. Your priorities are not right. Now. Now. Oh, and I need to use the Previa today. Take out all your stuff from that car.E

"Oh. Can I drive your car then?E

"Take care of your car first.E

"But, I need to go somewhere right nowEHow about if I bring back the Previa by 12:30pm, at the latest?E

"Take care of your car now.E

I wash the dishes and turn to wipe my hands on the towel. Dad blocks my way. What??? What is he doing? Whatever, I don't want to deal with this. Stay calm, calm, calmEI walk over to the downstairs bathroom and wipe my dripping hands.

In the end, I do finally get to leave the house (with Dad calling after me about Dinky--after an episode of him ignoring me trying to get his attention, so I can make a second try to borrow his car), but I take Mom's car. But first, her customer needs to move her car out of the driveway. Dum, dee, dum, dum. Drats! Mom's tank is empty. Fill up at Chevron gas station (the one that's trying to rip me off about Dinky's brakes). Get to MZI at 11:15am, but only Wendy is there. Master Zhao got hungry and had already left :( I hand off the flowers and the hot springs book to Wendy and drive back home. I feel blank. Not sure whether to feel mad at Dad or myself, or to just let the feeling of disappointment take over. Tired.

Guess who "greetsEme when I get home. I walk in the door, "hey, did you just take care of your car?ESheesh. I ignore him and proceed to call Midas and Chevron to find out pricing for a brake check and certification for the DMV.

To lighten my mood, I prepare for sitting out in the park with Fishbone. Sunshine beckons me :) I take out a beach chair, picnic tarp, camping mat (like ThermaRest except by Kelty), Fishbone's castle, her resting basket, a roll of wire mesh to keep Fishbone inside the enclosure and keep people and their DOGS OUT, all the books I can use to help Soyoka with her homework later on, my sketchbook, a bottle of water, and finally, Fishbone herself. Seri helps me by keeping an eye on Fishbone whenever I go back inside to get more stuff. She ends up eating our salad lunches outside with me before taking off for work. Oh, I forgot, I also took out a big cardboard sign that said, "PLEASE keep your DOG on the LEASH. Thanks! :)Eand put it out so anyone passing by could see it. As much as I love dogs, I hate it when dog owners are irresponsible and let their dogs off the leash when they know perfectly well that this park doesn't allow that. Hello, people, see that big sign on the post?? Poor Pecha had to deal with loose dogs a few times before I gave up on letting him out in the park on his leash. Fishbone's more aggressive and she quickly hops into her castle when she senses danger, so she should be okay. I can defend a castle against a dog better than trying to protect a panicked rabbit trying to run away in all sorts of directions.

Tony called! I guess he's back from Shanghai. Kathy called about studying together and possibly going to the Overtone's show next week.

After 5 hours in the park, Mrs. Wada, Soyoka, Yuki, Mom, and I headed over to the Secret Garden Restaurant to eat Korean food. We had bulgogi and bibimbab. I was shocked at how much Yuki and Soyoka eat. Very quickly too! The food was good :) and I ate too much of it, I think.