Our new car finally arrived today -- a Spectra Blue fuel-efficient Toyota Prius, though of course it was a little less so after having to be trucked 2,700 plus miles from California.

Incredible that we had to go across country to buy our car. When the idea first surfaced, via J's friend, Richard, we all went, "Naaaaah." But then it became clear that buying a Prius in NC was impossible. One dealer said we had to pay $1,000 to get into a queue. Another wouldn't even let us on a waiting list. We had to convey our requirements and then Mark Jacobson would contact us when such a car became available. He had some 25 people all waiting hopefully at the time, and something like 2 or 3 cars coming in each month. As we could not tell our heads from our behinds in such a situation, California looked more and more attractive. Two weeks later, our pretty new machine is sitting out on our driveway. Ironically, one of the NC dealers called last week and said a car would be available next week for us. Haha. It was still more expensive -- for the same features -- that our Californian import cost us, WITH shipping. HA. Have desperate buyers, will cut throats.

Now all I need to do is get my driver's license so I can drive our new baby. I must say that I will miss having a people mover, as they call them. However, since we will probably need a second car, maybe we should get one of those gas guzzling SUVs that are now going for a song!

It's the Moon Festival tonight, though not here in Porter Place, I guess, which is silent as always. There are no children with lanterns and excited voices outside. It's quiet, with a cold and brilliant moon dazzling us through the trees but voicelessly.

In Sunset Way, there would have been lanterns and sparklers hung about the flora on the canal. The kids and I couldn't help but think about where we were this time last year. We remembered how Poniyem would light most of the sparklers and keep them going, one after another. There was some drama too. A lantern belonging to one of Warren and Su's children melted on to J's hand, burning it. The night ended in a hurry, with blisters and rushed bedtimes.

Maybe next year.

Today I got into our pool at Bridle Run for the first time. It was cold! I was surprised! I'm from the tropics. I need a little sunshine in my water. Another surprise. Yesterday, J arrived at the house to find men tearing up the roof. Luckily they put on a new one.

And then, while I snoozed on our lone stick of furniture (a wicker couch on the porch. Ok, it's a set, not a stick, but we don't have much else), J installed a solar tube in our closet. It was my idea but his labour. You know what, there are those of us in this world who are fixers of things and those of us who are content to let things fall about our ears. Guess which categories J and I belong to?? Today we went to visit with a neighbour whose husband is said -- with a faintly disapproving air when said -- not to do much around the house. I felt rather sorry for him, and can identify perfectly. I don't see the fun in being addicted to responsibility...

Maybe it's time to be brave and resume this daily record. I stopped months ago because 1) I was busy 2) it seemed too mundane and I had nothing much to say.

But reading the entries about Kapalai brought that happy time back there again. Maybe the children will enjoy reading about our life together some day.

Today in Chapel Hill, it's grey and rainy. J has gone over to Bridle Run to contract a security company for our house. Work is proceeding at snail's pace since we closed on it on Aug 28. In fact, it's not begun, though the shingles for the new roof are sitting in their package, studded with raindrops, on our driveway. We are going to have weathered wood for our roof.

The yard has a distinctly overgrown and neglected look about it now. Here is the view from our living room. I wander about and wonder how I am going to keep the garden tidy when I have so little affinity for growing anything. Remember how I tried to kill the Japanese bamboo in our home at Sunset Way? Poni had to rescue it. Maybe I will send out a call for help to our friends, Irene and Ronnie. Could we replicate a Balinese wonderland by our North Carolinean pool?

Hopefully, one of the kids will grow a green thumb. Or maybe I will, in my stubborn middle age.

Not today, however. The afternoon is full -- Li Lao Shi at 3, Rainbow Soccer at 4.15, then South Point for presents.