Category Archives: life

farewell, Hiojiichan

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It was a short seven and half years compared to your 95; not enough to get to know each other deeply especially since we live in separate regions and we have the language barrier to be scaled. But it was more than enough time for me to grow very very fond of you.

In these two days, whenever we go over to you and look at your peaceful face, the words that comes foremost in my mind are “thank you”. Thank you. I am so glad I was able to express my heart to you and Hiobaachan last year; about how thankful I am to the both of you. But I wish, I could have said it in person, look at your round eyes that so reminds me of Atsushi. Nevertheless, there’s no sense now to regret. What I can do now is to live my life fully, as I know you have lived yours.

I will never forget. You will always be in our hearts. Thank you. Rest in peace, enjoy heaven; Hiojiichan.

life with a kindergartener: umbrella train

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Today, I made you walk the equivalent of three bus stops; roughly 2 km but made more difficult as it is on a hilly area. Yes, we missed our bus and you cried when the bus didn’t wait for us even when the driver could probably see us running towards it; we were merely twenty steps away from the stop. You cried because you know I will scold you for being late; you fully know it was your fault because you dilly-dallied.

We were late (I’m late for work) and it was cold and raining and we have to walk because the bus won’t be coming for another twenty minutes and there was no taxi in sight.

It was supposed to be a difficult walk what with the rain and the biting, cold wind. But with your sunny disposition it became an enjoyable one. You pretended we were an umbrella train and were imitating the sound of a train of decades gone by. You announced the bus stops ahead and announced our arrivals to said bus stops.

You made an otherwise dreary walk into an enjoyable and memorable one. You banished the irritation I was feeling in having to endure the cold and replaced it with a happy and proud feeling.

Thank you.

I pray and hope and wish my dearest Yui that nothing and nobody, least of all me and your Dad, could dim that sunny disposition of yours. And may you keep it, and make it even brighter and sunnier as you grow old.

Love,

Mommy

New Year flowers

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I went Japanese this New Year. Or at least I tried to observe some of the auspicious traditions in Japanese New Year; for one, I bought a special set of flowers in which each had a special meaning. This beautiful one was the littlest in a stem with five buds. I actually thought it wouldn’t ever bloom; that the whole stem would already die down before this one would reach her time. I even already stopped refilling the vase with fresh water. But she did, she did, and she did bloom today. She was the last, but she did bloom. And the marvel was that, she was the most beautiful of them five. Somehow, the line in Mulan comes to mind,

The flower that blooms in adversity, is the most rare and beautiful of all.

I smile too whenever I gaze at these orchids which have been in bloom for more than two weeks yet still looking as fresh as ever (the third though was also a late bloomer; just the other day! And I thought we wouldn’t have new blooms anymore.

And because I want to mark today.

Happy New 2018!

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Cheers to the new year!

It’s only been a few days into the new year and our little girl has already been teaching me a lot about Japanese traditions and the language.

She taught me about Shishimai / Lion Dance as we made our queu for her head to be “bitten” for protection and goodluck (hopefully for the whole family, with Yui as our representative). Albeit she didn’t really lecture me about it’s significance and history, Yui did teach me about the different forms of Shishimai.

Here’s to a great New Year!

life with a kindergartener: lessons on tough love

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Us talking a couple of weeks back while you’re in the toilet….

I was complimenting you about a good deed you had and how I appreciate that you have a kind heart. I then pointed out that your deed (it was related to an animal but I totally forgot what it was, sorry baby!) was similar to how little Moana protected the turtle.

Yui: I’ll be more gentle than Moana. I will carry the turtle in my arms and bring it to the water’s edge so that the bird definitely can’t eat it (this you said in mix Japanese and English).

Me: that would be gentle indeed, yes. But I’m not sure if that will be good for the turtle. You see, I think the baby turtle needs that long walk in the sand so he could get some exercise and strengthen its….flippers?? Or it’s feet. If you carry them, then their growth might be stunted.

Yui: *pensive expression on* I see….okay, I’ll just protect the baby turtle from the birds while it slowly walks towards the water. I will not allow them to eat the turtles. I will kick them! I’m brave!

Me: yes I know you’re brave and I’m glad you are. But かわいそ (poor) birds yo. They just want to eat. They may be hungry. Like us, right? When we’re hungry, we eat.

Yui: *still pensive* I see….okay, I’ll just firmly shoo them away!

You then gave me a brilliant smile. It extended all the way to my heart.

Grow up well, baby.