Mika Mika @ Vox

I used to collect miniatures from Japan. These are boxes of surprise contents and a piece of candy. Usually the box will tell you that you will get one of the eight or so possible sets. Anyway, here are the photos of the sets I have collected over the years.

Had a great weekend traveling around the Bay Area. Here are some new photos:

Taking advantage of my friend having some uber-crazy level membership, we went early today to the new California Academy of Sciences and went through the exhibits like pros. First we got there before opening time at 9:30am. Then we took the member's lane, and bee-lined to the rainforest exhibit to line up. One friend went to get tickets to the 11am planetarium showing. Another friend went to get tickets for the 1pm 3D Bugs movie showing. Right after enjoying the rainforest exhibits which opened at 10am, we went to the planetarium thing, had lunch of the-world's-most-expensive hotdogs at $6.50 a piece, then the 3D movie, and then went through the other aquarium and other exhibits. Got through everything including all three gift shops by 3:30pm. Fun. I'd definitely go back.

Here are some photos. Apologies for the quality of some of them - I only had my iPhone with me, and it doesn't focus well on near objects.

{Bumped from March 3, 2007}

I bought this little kit to grow a miniature Lemon Balm plant in an egg-shaped contraption. You crack off the top of the egg, set it in water, plant your seeds, and watch it grow. I just set it up today, so this will be the mini photo blog of its progress.

As well, I also set up my miniature Bonsai kit today as well. Let's track both. The latest, nicest pic is below (will be updated). Click on the pic to see the entire collection.

{Addendum - June 9, 2007 - I've tried so many times to grow those Lemon Balm seeds without success - perhaps the seeds are just too old. So now this below collection will be of the Mini Bonsai kit, as well as my miniature pomegranate plant. Both are doing very well!}

{Addendum - May 11, 2008 - Yes, I've continued to post photos, but as you will see, the mini bonsai died when I forgot to water it for a day. The mini pom is having fruity fruit! Look!}

{Addendum - August 21, 2008 - New city, new home, new plants! Check out my new babies! I've started a new Lemon Balm egg!}

{Addendum - January 19, 2009 - This addendumming is getting a bit ridiculous. Anyway, new update photo!)

My study partner and I went all out at Rain Restaurant in celebration of passing our exams. We sat at the Chef's Table, and got to talk with both Guy and Michael Rubino. Guy also autographed a menu for me! Check out the photos here.

I took my parents to Susur on Friday, second to last day it was open. Here are some photos of the yummy food. Most of the dishes I was too busy eating to photograph! There was an amuse bouche of gazpacho and oyster, a seared bison steak dish, and a few others that never got photographed. So sorry!

We got a dump of snow this weekend. Here's a regular winter occurrence that I miss from growing up in Southern Quebec. To give you perspective, if I was standing in the highest point of that snow drift, I'd be probably covered up to my waist. If my parents weren't going to have my head for trekking the snow into the house, I'd probably go jump into that nice white fluffy pile right now. I miss those days when snow drifts were regularly taller than me, all winter long. Hehe...

Not too many photos this time. Was really a work trip, writing exams and getting some grant applications started. I did get some photos though, to supplement my last collection. These are summer photos, so more flowers and such. Click on the image below for the collection.

I've posted a collection of plants we've grown in the patio garden this year. I miss my herbs, but these are cool too.