IN THROUGH THE TELEVISION SCREEN, OUT UPSIDE DOWN

Lately I'm OBSESSED with Asian pop products. It started with my research into cell phone straps, followed by the trip to the Richardson Chinatown and Oriental Market to see what we could find. It was so bizarre, just like walking into a foreign country. I loved every second of it, even the overpowering smell of fish. After that we watched Spirited Away and I think that's literally what happened to me.

We did find some cute phone straps in a tiny gift shop near the market (Beth's a genius), but I'm not satisfied. My original internet search had exposed me to the delights of Bandai toy's Unakuzin, a stinkingly adorable little doll that nods and moves. I caved in tonight and ordered the limited-edition Daruma Unakuzin from jbox.com. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET THIS THING IN THE MAIL. I seriously think I'll have to collect them all. My mother thinks I'm insane.

Also, Natalie's birthday is coming up next month and I am totally pumped about the gift I'm going to give her. This excitement is partly due to the fact that I hang out with her enough now to know what she likes, and also because I'm so over the top with the imported goods right now. I want to get her something nobody else will ever think of! AND MAKE ALL OF HER LITTLE SNOTTY SCHOOLMATES JEALOUS.

That Dreyer's Double-Churned Coffee ice cream is so good. Just typing that made me want another scoop.

I have been thinking lately that I want to have a bluegrass band, probably with my dad. Bluegrass is the only music in the world that is irresistable for me to sing along with. And even though I'm not sure bluegrass piano actually exists, I could always "invent" it, right? Yeah! I think it would be awesome to have a bluegrass band and go play music at nursing homes. What old folks DON'T appreciate the value of good ol' southern music? Disney's The Rescuers features some scenes and characters that sum up the emotions that bluegrass arouses for me. You know--the broken down ferry, the oversized alligators, the fireworks, the pipe organ, the moonshine! So great!