First Hosting Gig!

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One day in early October, an old friend (my husband’s bandmate in university) sent me a message in Teams asking me if I could host this year’s Quality Day for our Company.

It is so. Out. Of. The. Blue. So much so that my first thought was “why me?!?”.

I got intrigued with the work though; and with my “try everything” and “take the chance” mentality, I accepted the offer. Even when I have never done any hosting prior.

Fast forward to Nov 13 and I was put in front, putting on the deepest voice I could muster (I really could never tolerate girly high pitched voice when the speaker is in front of the public), I was speaking in front of top management and employees, onsite and online, more than 5,000 people at least.

Funniest thing was I had to stand on top of a makeshift pedestal (a stack of unopened package of A4 and A3 paper) because the camera wouldn’t be able to see me as the podium was too high for me.

After the event, I could not even say bye to the Chairman of the organizing committee as I had to rush to check my P&IDs which are due to be issued the day after. I couldn’t have his pat on my back.

But I know I did well. And I hope I have this talent. But most of all, I thank God for giving me a clear head, stage presence, and clear voice during the event itself.

Will this be a new sideline work? Let’s see!

Takayama/Shirakawago/Kurobe Nov 2024

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The week flew by so fast!
Takayama (sarobobo), we meet again. The last time I went to Takayama, 2010, it was a solo trip on my last weekend as a sort of “goodbye Japan” for me. The Monday after the trip, I was offered an extension for another project and there met my husband. The rest is history.


Shirakawago, I am sorry I could not have a photo of you that would do you justice. You’re so beautiful! I hope you will keep your beauty for generations to come.


Kurobe Dam hello again. We missed your peak autumn foliage but it’s nice to see you again.
Mikurigaike Pond and Murodo Plateau, you’ll be memorable to me in many ways.

And my favorite!! Prefectural Road 158. I’ll drive your whole length one of these autumns!!
Drive a total of 900km in three days! Of course, I’ll do it again and more.

Just Show Up

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I’m reminded today of how important this is.

Last night our project lead commented harshly on my Team’s output. I was so bothered with it and the feeling of being incompetent and impostor pervaded within me the whole night and the following morning. Curiously and thankfully I could sleep well. My thoughts and feelings were so grey the following morning that the only thing that made me wanting to go to office was because I committed to prepare a document that needs to be turned in by 10:30am (btw bus schedule and all, I arrived at the office at 10am; I turned it in at 10:28am and was returned without comments, ready to be issued.

And as today wore on, things unfolded in a way that validated my reasoning last night. I was right after all.

My decisions were right after all.

If I hadn’t showed up today, if I called and feigned sickness, I wouldn’t have known that.

Just show up.

I’m glad I just showed up today.

Life with a grade schooler: “From now on”

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We started our juku journey technically from September 2023 when we started to try enter Sapix by taking their entrance exams.

We tried twice. Unfortunately we couldn’t pass, as we absolutely did not do any kind of studying whatsoever. In fact, you couldn’t even have more than 3 correct answers for all four subjects (National Language/Math/Science/Social Studies).

Despite the failure, this was a positive experience for us though. As I got to learn your mindset. When I asked you how was the exam, your consistent answer was: I haven’t learned it yet.

Wow.

There could be kids/ people who’d say: I can’t do it. I’m not good enough.

But thankfully you didn’t say that. Your reply was instead one with a growth mindset. Thank you my dear Yui.

And then last 7/7, we took our first mock exam. We had to do it so that juku can prep you further depending on your results. And then come summer end, we take another mock test again.

When I asked you how you fared compared to Sapix exams, you said, I think I improved by 30%.

To which I exclaimed “what?! After six months only 30%?!”.

Your calm reply: Mommy what are you talking about?! That just means that from now on I will exponentially improve!

And so with that I got speechless.

Thank you my dear baby. God bless you.

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! 小学校6年

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As we walked under the fully bloomed sakura trees earlier today, I asked you how it felt to now be on 6th grade. You said it’s almost unbelievable you’re the seniors now as it was just yesterday that you were in 1st grade. Indeed, indeed. And for me, it seemed just like yesterday that I held a cheerful baby in my arms.

For the spring break, literally, we Oohhhed and ahhhed at the places we went to in Europe. But that’ll be for another blog.

For now, I am wishing you well as you start an exciting year for you.

Just this evening I read your previous homeroom teacher’s assessments of you (we didn’t have time last March as we had to fly early the day following your last day at school) and read about her compliments on how you take on leadership roles at school.

You have it in you, baby. I can see that. And I hope you’ll continue to nurture that ability and learn more, so you could lead with wisdom.

She still has that baby dimples on her hands🥰