the last time i went to san francisco, hiroshi and i rode the cable car, planning to get off at chinatown. but we were having such fun, we stayed on. i will never forget the view, coming over a hill, of the harbor and the maritime museum. it was such a surprise and so beautiful. we were only in the area for a week, but i think we visited the museum three times. even hiroshi, like your mom, appreciated it. as for the japanese tea garden, i have a funny memory of it. a father was there with his son, and i forget the details, but he (the father) said, 'look, there's scooby doo!' and hiroshi and i just laughed. it did not fit the surroundings at all. i think we also went there twice. yes, the first time was just before it closed. it was so beautiful and peaceful then. almost no one else was around. there is also a japanese garden in chicago that i am really looking forward to visiting. but now, i must return to studying for the gre. i am quite unmotivated tonight.