We missed last year. And I’m delayed this year by almost two weeks. Nevertheless.
Excited for you, baby!
One thing notable. You have started planning for your high school without me egging you. You decided to volunteer for leadership role in you class as a steppingstone for student council in autumn. I am a proud Mom.
God bless you, my baby.
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明けましておめでとう御座います！
At least for the last three years or so, we have enjoyed perfectly clear sunrise, with nary a cloud in sight.
This morning though was quite cloudy, and we waited for about twenty minutes for the sun to peek through (and peak above) the heavy clouds.
Because of the clouds though, we were able to witness an incredibly lovely sight: the sun’s rays forging through. Priceless.
And of course the always, always, shines through.
This year we chose a new location and thankful we could get a good view. It was worth the try.
Happy 2026!!
Said goodbye to Alex, my first car here in Japan.
Hugged the steering wheel last night. You’ve been a companion to so many trips. Memories abound. Sad to see you go, in the state you were in.
However, I only have gratitude. Thank you.
My oldest mentor finally had to bid the Company goodbye. So we held several special programs for him. On one instance, I was tasked to buy flowers. Before the program, I had to attend several meetings so my seat mates could just see the flowers near my desk but couldn’t ask me from whom it was.
Then during the Leads’ meeting, finally my seatmate had the chance: who gave you flowers?
My instant reply: I bought for myself .
The look on his face was priceless. Same as the look the other male colleagues in the meeting room had (I was the only female Lead). They couldn’t fathom that a lady would buy herself flowers.
My joke was so satisfying I laughed for some time before I cleared it up. That it was for the oldest member in our division who’s retiring.
I can buy myself flowers.
Today, you had your graduation from your after school.
It was leagues more special than your school graduation itself.
All the previous teachers who left the after school either joined in person or online in the “graduation event” that your after school made just for you. They also presented you with handmade gifts and wrote messages on your yearbook. Even the teachers who already left the after school were able to write in their own handwriting on your yearbook. Which meant they made the effort go to the school to write on the book in addition to actually joining your small party.
As a mother, I am so so so happy to know that you are so much loved.
I am very thankful.
This first workweek of the year has been very stressful. And well actually, I’ve made quite a lot of people get stressed as well because of the shift I made.
I was here and there trying to resolve my access issues yet I was still dutiful in fulfilling my tasks for the different projects I’m with.
I was so stressed and spaced out and distracted in that when we had the leads’ meeting to brainstorm on potential cost reduction ideas, I thought that I (the only woman in the room) have no additional ideas to bring to the table. In truth, I went to the meeting to relax from the stress of catching up and resolving issues.
I tried to stay silent while the men talked.
Then the project lead asked for my opinion.
And as usual, I just let myself go with the flow of talking and speaking my mind.
Later, when the Lead summarized our ideas complete with his and Deputy Lead’s initial sift prior to sending to PMT, I was very surprised to see that actually, out of the 15 cost down ideas listed, ALL 4 of my ideas were 4 of the only 6 ideas that were feasible for cost down.
So girl. Remember. Never underestimate yourself.