Category Archives: parenting

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.

Impulse’ Sort the Trash

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Am using this certain app for daily brain exercises but they have this one game called Sort the Trash which got me frustrated at first because they only have two classes of segregation: paper / plastic.

If you’re living in Japan, your brain already automatically classifies types of trash so the game was too simple yet challenging for me since it unravels what was already wired on my brain.
So of course I wrote a comment about the game and sent an email to the game developer. Learned today that their Sort the Trash now has four categories: paper / plastic / organic / Glass.
Good job, Impulse! 😅

Life with a grade schooler: Catching the train

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We had a long drive last night (we arrived at 2am!) hence I decided to commute for the day’s activities. That, plus we were hurrying not to be late for our choir practice and I wasn’t sure if parking will come easy.

One thing to note: we were all on time on all of our appointments. Except for catching the train. I was the only one who made it inside the train while Yui couldn’t get it despite trying to bar the door with her bag.

I made exaggerated mouth movements to tell her I’ll wait for her on the platform of our destination station. It seemed she has understood.

Was on tenterhooks waiting for Yui. When she did arrive she had a big smile on her face with laughter in her eyes.

We need to have more training for independence now.

Blessing in Disguise

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A couple days back, our washing machine gave a warning that one of the filters needs cleaning. Pressure drop high alarm, basically.

On a seemingly different instance, I lost my earring yesterday. Noticed it around 4pm at the office.

Then this morning, while doing a load of washing before heading for office, the washing machine finally alarmed high liquid level. It just will not drain owing to clogged drain filter. I had no choice but to open the drain via the filter pull-out nozzle. Of course water came gushing out, flooding the area. I let some water out just so the machine could drain a bit and continue to run.

As I was wiping the flood off the floor, amid all the dirt/wet dust, I found my missing earring. The cap wasn’t on it but I found the expensive part so I’m already happy as it is.

One of those times you end up being thankful despite a seemingly bad event.

Lake Shirakaba

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It was quite a long drive. With the traffic, it took us six hours to arrive at the destination. But it was worth it.
The beauty and the serenity and the calm. It helped me get grounded again. Felt like next time I get stressed I just need to simply go think back of that moment by the lake, and reminisce the serenity and I’d be at peace again.