The little things that count

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Marjorie

As Hubs has pointed out, I am such a paranoid and OC Mom. But as protective as I am with our daughter, I am at least at peace that she is taken cared of well at daycare (there actually are times I’m the one pressured, like making sure there’s at least two kinds of vegetables on the menu!).

Today was such a rainy and windy day but I wasn’t that worried (well, aside from the difficulty and unsafeness of maneuvering the baby stroller on one hand whilst holding an umbrella on the other hand whilst battling the strong wind and hard rain) because Yui had a rain cover over her stroller and her daycare bag was waterproof. The bag was obviously waterproof yet we were really touched how Yui’s teachers made the effort of putting the daycare journal (where both parents and teachers write Yui’s activities at home and at daycare) inside a plastic bag so that it won’t get wet.

Little things like that somehow comforts me that they can be trusted with big things.

Osechi 2014

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Marjorie

Our Osechi for this new year. The jubako (layered box) features cranes which symbolises a fruitful year.

The baby of the house has her own osechi as well (thank you for the thoughtfulness, Obaachan! 🙂 ) Featuring the Anpanman cartoon series characters that’s popular among children here in Japan.

As one would suppose, each of the dish included in Oseshi has its own meaning. Read here for the symbology of some of the dishes!

Happy New Year 2014!!!

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Marjorie

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!!

The year that was has some heartaches for me, where friendships are concerned, from the first month and right to the last month. But the inner struggles somehow gained me wisdom – that the friendships were blessings right at the time that they should be in my life. That probably the friendships weren’t meant to last. That I should be thankful that at some point in my life, I had their friendships and that those friendships blessed me (and hopefully them too). That probably, we have to move on, to be better persons. Someday our paths may cross again; and who knows those friendships might yet be rekindled. But until then, I would just have to be thankful for the time we’ve been together – be it in laughter and tears, joy and sorrow. And with these experiences, I am yet reminded again to cherish and nurture the relationships I have now.

And yes there are lots to be thankful for too! Me going back to work (and be being able to wholly take care of Yui for eight months! What career mom wouldn’t be thankful for that? It’s like getting the best of both worlds), Yui going to daycare, Yui celebrating her first year in the Philippines, Hubs’ overseas business trips and safe arrivals, us finding our perfect place paving the way for yet new beginnings, good health for us and our loved ones, good food to enjoy with love ones, and so much more other blessings besides. I welcome the new year with a grateful heart, Lord. 🙂

Now, the new year! The new year has lots of exciting NEWs for us. And with this is our fervent prayer that our decisions be guided by Him and that it be according to His plans for us and that these NEWs will see us with more love and laughter. We’re excited to receive the blessings you have in store for us this year, Lord! 🙂

Lost bag at Drugstore Charley

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Marjorie

We went out the house late this afternoon to go to the biggest bookstore in my husband’s hometown (where kids have the whole BIG third floor to explore books fit for their age). On the way, we dropped by Charley’s to (mainly) buy diaper wipes for our daughter. The drugstore was considerably big so we sat Yui on the store’s baby cart and hung my bag on the cart’s built-in hook. Then we shopped around. After shopping, I gathered Yui up, hubs carried our shopped goods, we hopped unto the car, and Otosan drove us to the big bookstore.

We were already in the bookstore however, when I noticed that my pink bag was missing. And with a sinking heart, I realized we left it hanging on the baby cart hook. My phone and wallet was there – which contained my residence card. Thankfully, Hubs was able to keep the receipt of our purchase which Otosan used to get the number of the store (a reminder yet again – keep receipts!). He called up the store and asked if they’ve seen a pink bag hanging on a baby cart.

They confirmed yes, they’ve seen it and they’d kept it (A sigh of relief from us). Otosan asked them that we are a bit far from the drugstore and that if it’s possible that we can just pick up the bag later on our way home. And they confirmed yes on this.

More than two hours later, we picked up the bag – with nothing amiss on it. With a big sigh of relief, I exclaimed how relieved I am that I lost my bag in Japan. If it has been in some other country, it would have been gone for good. And what a headache it would have been!

Kudos Japan and I hope you’d keep this country as safe as it is now (or even safer!)

daycare Summer Festival

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Marjorie

The daycare staff picked a good day and time to have the summer festival/natsu matsuri. It started off at 5:30pm so when we left our house, there was a cool breeze blowing, not humid at all.

At the registration table right before the entrance, Yui was given a sling that would keep tab of all our “purchases”.

Yui keeping tab of what we’ve ordered so far ^-^

The first floor was where we could buy festival food – frankfurts, yakisoba, choco banana. It’s only for the older babies and adults though, we had to bring Yui’s food with us. It felt weird to bring food at the daycare since they usually provide food for Yui. With a couple of the senseis.

We ate our fill at one of the rooms of the second floor. Dad and Yui while Mom eats her yakisoba. It was the most bland yakisoba I’ve ever had though – naturally, because it’s also meant for kids.

Yoyo ball pool!

We didn’t get one for Yui. Turns out she wants one for herself!

We had this for Yui though.

Please tell me what to do sensei

Art time! Design-your-own-fan.

Mikoshi time! For the older kids. Sorry for the blurred photo.

Obon dance time.

Thankfully, the time was right for Yui’s sleeping cycle that’s why she didn’t have a meltdown. A lot of kids had a meltdown however towards the end of the program (it lasted about two hours). Hubs and I could understand. Both of us were actually tired after the activity, to think we just looked around. How much more overwhelming it would be for the kids, and the teachers for that matter!

Instilling culture right at a very young age. Very nice. Thankful.

Kanagawa hanabi 2013

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Marjorie

Today (again, technically, yesterday) was the Kanagawa fireworks festival/hanabi. The past years, we just stayed at the office to avoid the crowd – we’re lucky that the fireworks display is easily seen from our office windows so we can enjoy the beautiful fireworks sans the crowd but also sans the sound. I wasn’t able to watch it this year though as I had to get out of the office at 5 to pick Yui up. Nor was hubs able to watch it because he went home early to avoid the crowd. And boy was there a crowd!

The yearly hanabi always attracts large crowds that the police/city government had thought of means to ease the flow of people. For one, they’ve set up these dividers to separate people going to the Minato Mirai area and those going to the station back to their homes.

Obviously, I’m on the wrong side and against the tide of people. My bad! There were police around announcing where people should go but I couldn’t understand them.

I haven’t been able to take photos of the fireworks yes, but thankfully, these ladies in their yukatas happily agreed to pose for me!

The yukata is much less elaborate and much cheaper than the formal kimono but it’s still pretty nonetheless!

On Chocolate Hill

A chocolatey journey, with Yui!

Category Archives: culture