For over thirty years Tomoko has resided in San Rafael,
California, the county seat of Marin County just north of San Francisco. Tomoko
enjoys driving into the City for her teaching time, but she also appreciates
returning to the lush scenery near home.
The town itself has a much longer history. Originally
inhabited by the Coast Miwok, Spaniards built a mission here in 1817. Now the
town boasts more than 70,000 residents, and has a strong entertainment industry
and technology presence: LucasArts, Comcast, Autodesk, and several electronic
gaming companies. Tomoko recorded her piano performances at the Lucas studio.
Geographically, San Rafael resembles a microcosm of
habitats: marshland and estuary to forests and hills, the latter feature separating
the more industrial southern part of town from the more suburban-looking
northern part where Tomoko lives. Several parks dot the town. Climate-wise, San
Rafael enjoys Mediterranean weather. Tomoko enjoys gardening in this climate,
especially as she has a special affinity to nature.
Tomoko also used to drive through San Rafael west to San
Domenico School where she taught piano for several years, and would drive north
from San Rafael to Sonoma’s Redwood Empire Ice Arena (owned by cartoonist
Charles Schulz) to take her daughter for ice skating lessons. Her husband Desy
also used to work as a medical doctor in San Rafael as well.
Saint Rafael was named after the Catholic saint, patron of
good health and travelers. He is an appropriate figure for Tomoko who has
certainly traveled many roads in her life and continues to have a healthy life.
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