Børnelund Playworld

As a treat for enduring yet another round of vaccines, we brought Yui to the newly opened Børnelund Playworld/あそびのせかい (openedlast June 21) located in the likewise newly opened Mark Is. Fees was reasonable as well with 600yen for 30 minutes for parent/guardian, 300yen for babies and kids, and 100yen for the adults for every 10 minute-extension.

It was a wonderland for Yui. We only mostly stayed at the babies section, however.

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This one is Yui’s favourite.

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There’s also ball pool like those that are popular in the Philippines.

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And an area for bigger, more active kids.

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Play partners!

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Thing is, we were only able to explore the left side of the place. There were more interesting stuff on the right side! Left side was already more than enough for a baby that we just stayed there mostly. I wasn’t even able to take a photo of the right side! But definitely there’s gonna be a next time!

the 80s exhibit at Landmark Tower

I was born just right at the turn of the 80s decade. I actually don’t feel old yet. But if you see that the decade you grew up into is on exhibit, then probably it’s time for a reality check?

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There’s 80s fashion, music, movies among others.

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Ahhh Ghostbusters. Karate Kid. The Blue Lagoon. The Labyrinth. Batman. The Ghost. Footloose. Gremlins. The Rocky series. I haven’t watched the other movies featured above but I firmly believe Star Wars (with Ewoks TV series), E.T., The Manequin, Neverending Story and Splash should be there too!! I guess though they’re just featuring those which were popular here in Japan. Ahh 80s!!
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Oh yes, I just have to add this in –> Dirty Dancing!!

melon fiesta

People in the office are frequent travellers. Be it for business or pleasure. So we’re used to the secretary walking around, distributing some omiyage/pasalubong/present at 3pm.

We usually have chocolates, crackers or some sweets. For today however, same as last year, some guy with a humour thought of bringing along a different kind of omiyage. It felt weird but I’m more than happy (and thankful!) to have a break with it. Who can refuse a sweet melon?!

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Watanabe-san and his thoughtfulness

We were walking at high noon earlier (we had to buy some stuff at Akachan Honpo and hubs had to go to office after that so we had no recourse but to brave the heat), our faces almost frowning because of the heat. But the heat didn’t seem to affect the smile that an old man in his bike gave us, who stopped by beside us and shortly cooed at Yui. We are used to this so we also stopped walking. He greeted konnichiwa and then talked to us. It took me a while to recognise him, other than that his kind smile look familiar. I was still racking my brain trying to recall who he was when he handed me a wooden toy for Yui. Keeping with the Japanese way, I opened it immediately and gave it to Yui.

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Seeing the wood reminded me who he was – he was the owner of the furniture shop a few blocks away our house where we bought almost all of our home furnitures.

And remembering him reminded me of those “early days” when we were just filling up our apartment, just a few days after the big earthquake. There was actually a couple times that we were in his shop and the big quake’s aftershocks were rattling the furnitures. And every now and then we visited his shop, with the most recent being us looking for another umbrella stand to replace the one that was broken which we also previously bought in his shop.

He was explaining that the toy is handmade in Japan and safe for babies to bite. I know well. These handmade Japanese toys are so well-crafted and safe that I wish all of Yui’s toys are such. But they’re just so expensive. We only bought one for Yui, also handcrafted and made of rice.

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Asuka koubou though, the one Watanabe-san gave, is more expensive than the rice rattle. However, the price of the toy is not the point here. What was really impressive was how he gave the toy to us.

He was biking (to somewhere) but when he saw us, he went back to his shop and hurriedly caught up with us. Done in the noontime heat. Think 35 degrees Celsius. And that smile he had while talking to us would always be remembered.

And since we had it while we were mobile, this will always be with us when we’re mobile.

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Thank you Watanabe san. You’re utterly remarkable.

baby diaries: proud and happy

It’s difficult to leave you behind at the daycare, Yui, when you’re crying. But it’s even more difficult to leave you when you’re all smiles and you’re eagerly showing your new moves. Moves that are quite so varied nowadays albeit it’s mostly trying to stand and sit from tummy down without holding on to something.

And you know what? Even when everything is so new to you, even when you’re just practicing and that it’s understandable to look awkward, you’re far from looking awkward at all. All the movements you make, they’re so fluid and graceful, they even look measured, as if you’re assessing your next move first before you act on it.

Mom remembers, several months ago, that time when your movements were more limited, you were playing on your crib and your toy fell on Mommy’s bed. It was within your arms’ reach albeit lower so you leaned to retrieve it. But when it fell again and rolled somewhere just a bit farther, you looked at it, looked at the elevation distance between your bed and Mommy’s bed, tried to extend your arm but seeing it’s a bit far, decided to ignore your toy. It was amazing to see it as it shows Mommy that at a very young age, you show some critical thinking already.

Your first steps a couple or so months ago, albeit it was assisted by Mom (or Dad), we found it beautiful. Probably all parents feel this towards their babies, no matter how wobbly it was. Yet still baby, you were so graceful. Mom would always remember that first time as a tender, sweet memory.

Before Mom left you off at the daycare today, your feet was firmly on the floor, looking as if any moment now you’d push yourself up and stand, unassisted. But what lingered with Mommy more was your big and happy smile, looking up at Mom beaming with pride at your efforts, your cheeks a pretty blush. That touched Mommy in so many wonderful ways anak and that moment would probably be one of Mommy’s treasured memories.

Grow well anak. We love you.