BlaringSmelly

Sean handed me a small plastic ball, wished me happy birthday, then told me he got it for 2 euros at the airport vending machine while he was in Europe. I had a hard time getting it open. The mystery ball of thing seated on my desk for couple days until Narisa helped me cracked it open. Out came a cute bear.

When you squeeze it, the bear’s eye balls popped out of its eye sockets just like that. Now how cute is that? This squeeze me bear is easily one of the best birthday presents I’ve received.

Mango attended his first Shiba Inu Meetup this past Saturday at Robinswood Park in Bellevue. Before going to the Meetup, we consulted our trainer Diane of Spokes Dog. Diane scheduled our training session at Robinswood Park so we can be at the Meetup right after the puppy training.

The nice thing about being at the park early is Mango get to be there before everybody else. Upon arrival, there was one black puddle playing alone in the corral. Mango and the puddle became fast friends and started chasing and playing in no time.

Slowly and steady, more shibas showed up. At one point there were probably more than 20 shibas at the Meetup. I was quite nervous as Mango being a young pup and this is his first time meeting so many strange dogs. To my relief he wasn’t getting picked or bullied by other dogs.

We left about 30 minutes into the Meetup. Mango had a great time being off leash and surrounded by its own kind. One of the meetup attendees took this great shot of Mango. Little Mango is starting to look like a grown up shiba.

Sunday lunch was a wakening call that our lives have changed with the addition of Mr. Mango. It was Mango’s second day with us. We didn’t feel comfortable leaving him alone. When Sunday lunchtime was upon us, instead of “what are we craving for”, we were brainstorming pet friendly restaurants.

I suggested Baguette Box in Fremont as I remembered seeing dog photos wanted sign and several oversize dog paintings on the wall. Baguette Box must love dogs there right? Not exactly. It was entirely my own assumption. Still I felt rather deceived when I was told by the staff dogs are not welcomed there.

I mentioned this incident to my coworker Jonathan. Also a Shiba Inu owner, Jonathan told me Norm’s Eatery & Ale House in Fremont is dog friendly, so are many restaurants’ outdoor seating.

Encouraged by his suggestion, I searched online and found both Pet Friendly Travel and Google pet friendly restaurant search have very comprehensive lists of dog friendly restaurants.

Not having to give up dining in restaurants for Mango is no doubt a huge relief for us food lovers.

Our breeder Leslie of San Jo Shibas didn’t like the name Mango very much, nor did she approve the name Firefox (that’s my pick). She believes only dignify, respectful names are worthy of her dogs. That’s how much pride and passion Leslie put into raising Shiba Inu. We respect her very much as she’s a well of knowledge on everything about this breed.

It just felt right to get the puppy from Leslie when we first met her back in March. She promised us a puppy in 3 months. In the process she educated us everything from the breed’s characteristics and setbacks to how to raise a healthy Shiba pup.

This Saturday was the day to pick up Mango. We’ve been visiting the litter prior to the pickup. So we were not total strangers to them. Leslie provided a list of puppy things to get. We had everything ready for Mango and even scheduled a private trainer upon his arrival. Even though everything was well prepared ahead, the trip home was still rough for the little guy. He threw up in the crate when we were half way there.

Private coaching started as soon as Mango got home. Our trainer Diane and us met in the backyard while Mango hid in rosemary bushes or oddly squeezed behind the lion statue. Poor Mango was exhausted and scared of the unfamiliar surrounding.

Eventually he came out of his hiding place and just quietly crashed next to us. He’s been very attach to us but still unsure of the surrounding.

The other day I was talking to the new contractor Jonathan. On his desk was a tiled coaster featuring the illustration of one of my favorite artists, Jenna Colby.

Jenna works on different media: paintings, crafts, sculptures, toys, wearable… A child-like character lives in the world of Jenna’s arts. The character has a Zen-ish quality as she encountering other creatures or lost in her own thoughts.

Perhaps it’s the character’s insect looking profile, her unreadable expression, or Jenna’s painting styles that blur our perceptions between illustration and watercolors, there is a subtle eeriness that tuned down the cuteness and brought serenity to it.

I made a little happy noise and told Jonathan how much I like her works. Jonathan told me he became friend with the artist and ended up with bunch of her coasters. The next day, he brought a pile of coasters in and let me pick one to keep.

This is the best gift I have received from fellow colleagues. Yellow sticky notes were my coasters since I started at BFG. Jenna coaster has definitely added a splash of colors to my monochromatically black office desk.

Working for a company with the word “fish” in its name, I have the reason and motive to get my own office pet fish. Recently exploring at a local Petco store, I was completely sold when I spotted this futuristic aquarium. Next thing you know, I picked up a female Betta to go with it.

The little Betta was quite an adventurer, swimming constantly between planets, space rocks, and UFO. I gotta say this is one of my best impulsive buys in recent years.

Recently I ordered this Cheery necklace by Amy Secrest on Pixelgirl Shop. I don’t normally purchase accessories online without trying it out. But this is one of those impulsive buying moments. Beside, the necklace looked really cute and unique in the photo.

The necklace arrived neatly in a clear sealed bag, with a little pine, a Pixelgirl Shop sticker, and a pretty little receipt that can also serve as a thank you note from Amy.

What a happy moment this package had brought to my day!

Go shop here for that special shopping experience, and to support quality goods made by independent artists! http://www.pixelgirlshop.com.

One word to sum up this game is Cute. And you gotta say it like “OOOOh… sooooo … cuuuuuute!” Ok, maybe I’m acting up a bit. But seriously, this game alone has all the sugar and sweetness little gamers and their parents can ever dream of.

The characters are simply adorable, everything from movements, little noises they make, the colorful feathers or furs, down to their names. That alone makes it even more rewarding when Piñata creature decides to stay in my garden.

Game plays normally take a while to warm up and things started to get interesting. In Vivia Piñata, there are enough creatures and events popping up at early game play to keep me occupied and entertained.

But then I got stuck. I don’t have enough coins to build sufficient housing for all the Piñata animals. And I don’t know how to make fast money. Some species are overpopulated and the others are about to extinct. Maybe I should read manual or tips but man, do I have to?

http://cuteoverload.com/

So-muchy-cute… can’t talk… Over-dosed…on…ah….too cute…

This footage of walking octopus is fascinating!

I have always been intrigued by octopuses’ alien appearance (did I mentioned that I’m fascinated by aliens too?). And because they are so mysterious, they are like the modern mythology in my opinion.