Thank you, Hiiobachan

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I thought of planning to fly over first week in January to come see you. But covid happened and now we won’t see you ever.

One thing though. On 19th, when I was having my worst coughing fit, I thought I was going to die. Or a nerve on my heart or brain would burst. But thankfully I didn’t.

I later learned though that it was around those days that you started turning for the worse.

I’d like to think that you saved the day yet again. Took it in instead of me.

Thank you for everything. For the kindness. And understanding. And reminding me to take care of myself. I know you are now with the love of your life, smiling that beautiful smile of yours.

Life with a grade schooler: Confessions!

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A couple months ago, Yui told me she has a crush on one of her teachers in her after school school.

Last week, she told me she confessed and expressed her feelings to the guy, 12 years her senior and twice as tall. I wanted to ask details about how she said it, what was the setting, (and most importantly) what he said. She just wouldn’t share she eventually got angry because I kept on badgering her.

And then this evening, she suddenly blurted out, without preamble: he told me to say again what I said ten years after (in Japanese).

I was at first confused on what she meant. Then it dawned on me. Ahhhhh!!! I’m happy for my baby though.

My baby. Now a lady with crushes.

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.

“判断するな”

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I asked Yui how her day was and with whom did she play with.

She answered “with Satsuki”. I was just trying to guess who the girl is from the daily photos, and then she described.

“The one who looks so snobbish and who would bully anyone. “いじわれるなかおお”. But actually surprisingly kind. On the other hand, Emma looks like she won’t hurt a fly. But actually she gets angry so easily.

判断するな! Don’t judge!

My dear baby, I’m loving the wisdom. Keep it up. .

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.

On Wars and Butterfly kisses

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Last night.

“Mommy, has Putin stopped his attack on Ukraine yet?”

“Sad to say, Baby, not yet. Not yet.”

You kept on a thoughtful face.

After lunch.

(Today was school holiday and I decided to take a day off). We were walking back home after lunch at the village cafe, you on your roller skater. Then you spotted a butterfly in the middle of the walkway that’s struggling to fly. The poor butterfly though would most likely struggle to fly for the rest of its life. Its wings have an uneven size, the other much smaller than the other. The windy day (today’s quite pleasant actually) added to its struggles. You were trying to pick it up, me shrieking (I NEVER liked insects). You explained that you had to remove it off the path of someone else, lest someone who doesn’t like insects might kill it, or someone in a hurry might accidentally trod on it and kill it. You gently brought it to a leafy shade and it was soon obvious to see the butterfly looked less distressed and was not trying to flap its wings anymore. You didn’t stop there though. You picked off a couple of wallflowers and laid it in front of the butterfly, giving it food.

Back at home, you waited while I worked on my laptop and tried to answer a colleague’s query from three projects back who needed help. You also told me how you envision my position will be six years from now. My, my. I have to work veeeery hard to meet your expectations!

You then requested me to sing “Country Road”. I wrapped up work, and dutifully sang in front of you. After my rendition, you said thank you, saying it was the first time you felt so relaxed listening to a song. My number 1 fan. 🥰