Sakura Spring (March 2010)

I’ve recently learned that in Japan it is an important Spring custom to gather and celebrate under the blossoms of Sakura (flowering cherry trees). This social phenomenon of flora viewing dates back centuries and included imperial households, poets, singers and other aristocrats. Now, Memphis is not home to over 200 different varieties of cherry trees like Japan, and we are certainly not aristocracy, however, I can tell you that the process of gathering around these trees has become custom in this family. The Cherry Grove in Chickasaw Gardens was undoubtedly the most beautiful I’ve seen in the nine years of living here. The only negative is that Sakura blooms do not last long enough! We played almost daily under these clouds of white until no more blooms remained.

Old School Discipline

While I was volunteering last week, speaking to a group of individuals about their medications, Lloyd was left to parent. The kids were pretty riled up when I left, but I came home to find that he had everything under control. It’s amazing what a little old school discipline can do to reset the peace equilibrium in our home. Harrison had to write some apology letters to various neighbors plus “I have learned tonight to obey” 100 times, while Grayson wrote 50 times, “I will obey and be happy”. When I was talking to Harrison before bedtime he said, “Mom, I’m not sure that was discipline. It seemed like handwriting practice to me!” Regardless of what it was, I must say that it was quite effective. All we’ve had to do is mention pen and paper and they are quick to comply to our parental requests. Anyone need Lloyd to step in at your house?

Caduceus Ball (3.20.10)

Lloyd and I were invited to attend the UT Medical School’s Caduceus Ball this year. (Just in case you don’t know, a caduceus is a staff entwined by two serpents in the form of a double helix and is the insignia used by the medical profession.) At this affair, the third year medical students awarded my husband with the Golden Apple Teaching Award, which is Lloyd’s second major teaching award. The evening’s theme was “The Roaring 20s”. No one quite embraced the celebration as much as me, but, I didn’t really have a problem with that. Any excuse to don a flapper dress! Great Gatsby!

Visiting Omi (March 2010)

The kids and I went to Montgomery over Spring Break. Helga celebrated her 83rd birthday while we were there. The kids played in her pool (and in her big bathtub) and enjoyed weather that was a slight bit warmer than Memphis. It was a wonderful visit. Lloyd joined us on Saturday by way of Val and Kev’s RV, and we all hung out on Cairnbrook until time to go home on Sunday. Helga and I recorded singing the German lullaby, "Aba Heidschi Bumbeidschi" and “How Great Thou Art”, the latter of which we sang together in a hallway the very first time we met over 11 years ago. Special memories.



At Montgomery Country Club for Helga's Birthday Lunch.

Gig Marathon (February 2010)

Many of you know that Lloyd and I have a “band”. Our music has become our winter sport. Consisting of the Finks duo (that’s me and my piano man) and our irreplaceable upright bass player and close friend GB, we have played intermittently here and there over the past 3 years. Never have we had a month like February where even in one day, we played 3 gigs in a row! We played at a wedding (and reception), opened a school fundraiser dinner, and ended the night with an impromptu concert at a party. Memorable in our minds, though, at the end of this month was playing with an expanded musical bunch at our annual Love Lounge party. We’re already looking forward to next year.

Yipes Stripes (2.26.10)

Each February the second grade boys at Presbyterian Day School take part in a patriotic celebration of the Presidents of the United States. This long tradition at PDS has been fondly referred to as Yipes Stripes. It’s a huge production, with many hours spent with the boys researching their assigned President, culminating in speeches, parades, and learning stations. Harrison was assigned Harry Truman, who also, like our son, played the piano. Doesn’t he look like a distinguished President? (He doesn’t really wear glasses, but Harry Truman did!)

Taekwondo Testing (February 12, 2010)

After juggling 2 Taekwondo classes at different times many days of the week for the past year and a half, I am happy to report that my children have been recently promoted to the same class (yeh for Mom!). Testing for your higher rank belt is a BIG deal at Midtown Taekwondo. Harrison was testing for his blue belt, which signifies "the heavens". Heavens knows I was happy when he passed his patterns, definitions, and sparring.
Grayson was tested on her patterns and definitions, which made me a tiny bit nervous. Imagine your 5 year old before a panel of black belts repeating this from memory:
"Do San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876-1938). The 24 movements represent his entire life which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement". She passed (to the rank of green belt) with flying colors. Now, really, tell me the truth. Would you mess with this girl? She even asked me to straighten her hair for this event. Serious business!