Critter Birthday

It's been months since the last time I posted. I actually learned that some of my freinds are expecting me to update, so I am going to start again.

Luna and her friends, Sy and Dex, had a joint birthday party in April.
http://www.knacktion.com/critters/index.html

Luna met kitties

I visited my friends' place the other day. They got two kitties recently. They met a dog for the first time.

In the beginning, kitties and Luna are not sure about each other. Luna never had a cat friend. After 30 minutes, a kitty started playing with Luna...
http://ldt.stanford.edu/~chicando/luna/luna-kitty.mpg

Please turn your speaker on and listen what my friend said. You will know what's happening. :)

Happy Birthday, Luna

Today, April 27th is Luna's birthday. She has turned to be 2 years old.

She is fully grown, but she hasn't changed much ever since I got her. I believe that she is still in her puppyhood.

We actually had a doggie birthday party 10 days ago with Kaiba, Daisy, and Herbie at Fort Funston. It was very fun and Luna enjoyed her birthday cake as well. Luna also got a birthday present from Ron and Leah.

The photo will be uploaded shortly.

Benefit for Pet Insurance

I started working today, and I had orientation for new employees. Among the benefit, what I like the most is that I get some discount for pet insurance. I wonder if Luna new this before I get this job...

A Good Luck Charm - Luna は働きもの

Recently, I got a great job opportunity, and I start working for it in a few weeks. I really appreciate lots of support that I got from my teacher and friends. In addition to that, Luna played an important role. She actually brought me the first step for this whole story. Luna is a good luck charm for me.

One day in October, Luna and I were walking down the street in downtown Palo Alto. At one corner, Luna ran into two corgis, Herbie and Daisy, and introduced me to their owners, Ron and Leah. After talking about our dogs for a few minutes, they asked me if I am from Japan. Yes, surely I am. They asked this question because they were supposed to visit Tokyo for business trip during the week after we met.

I asked them, "What do you do?" They work for a software company. They were planning to visit Tokyo for user research. I was really surprised to know the fact that their company has a user research group in Japan, which was new to me. I became interested in what they are doing. After that day, we, three dogs and three people, met again at a dog park. We really had a good time and learned that we have lots of things in common, such as favorite foods, culture, school and experience at the software industry; I worked for a software company before coming to the US.

One month later, I decided to look for a job. I was not very optimistic in the beginning, but I have to find something to feed Luna, which drove me to move on. Without any expectation, I first went to the company's web site, which my friends work for, to see if there is any open position which fits for me. I was surprised to see that there was one opportunity which almost exactly described myself, such as languages, academic background, past professional experience, etc... It seemed to be written for me. I applied for this position. In addition to Luna, during this hiring process, lots of luck kept happening. After two months, I got an offer.

It's just meant to be, I believe. If I don't have a corgi, if I didn't walk in Palo Alto at that particular time, if I didn't go with Luna, if Ron and Leah didn't accompany their dogs nor talk to me, or if they didn't plan a business trip to Tokyo at that timing, it would have never happened.

Luna is the one which made this happened. I am going to buy her favorite toy and cookies when I get my first pay check. :)

Shopping for Traveling

We are planning to travel by airplane this year. I have been looking for a carry bag for Luna.
I found a really cute bag at kate spada.
http://www.katespade.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2042936&cp=1989586&parentPage=family

I asked a sales representative, "Do you think if this bag fits for my dog?"
"Well, she is a little too long for this, " she said.

I couldn't argue anything about it. :(

Champagne and Beans!

Luna and I went to the art walk in Palo Alto, which is happened every first Friday of the month.
At one gallery, I had a glass of champagne. Luna stared at me and sat. That is the sign when she begs me something. I let her lick a little.

I was so pleased to share champagne with Luna since we really had something to celebrate this week. :)

After we came home, we did Mamemaki since it is the day of Setsubun. We have to eliminate a devil from our house and invite lots of luck! When I threw beans, Luna cleaned up them on a floor. It was actually convenient.

Luna has to eat only two beans since she is two years old. But she actually ate plenty of beans.