Watanabe-san and his thoughtfulness

Posted on by

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.

20130715-200143.jpg
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.

20130715-200224.jpg
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.

20130715-202836.jpg

Thank you Watanabe san. You’re utterly remarkable.

baby diaries: proud and happy

Posted on by

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.

conversations at home last weekend

Posted on by

M: why does the kanji for Wednesday same as kanji for water?
A: actually the seven days stand for seven planets including the moon and sun. Monday is for moon, Sunday for the sun. Wednesday for mercury.
M: eh? But there are more planets in our solar system than there are days in the week! What about the other planets?
A: for spare.
———–
(Was explaining to hubs the plant location of my previous site assignment and was sketching the rough plant layout).
A: where’s north?
M: I don’t know. And with what I’m about to tell you it’s not relevant.
A: it’s important. You always have to indicate where north is in plant drawings.
M: I’m not drawing a plot plan, I’m only drawing the block diagram!
———-
(I was washing the dishes and saw that hubs used the magic salt – salt with spices – and not the normal salt when he boiled the pasta).

M: oh, that’s why your pasta was good. You used the magic salt one and not the normal one.
A: I wanted to put the normal one but I couldn’t find it.
A: I also put oil.
M: ah yeah! (Curious) when did you put it. I put it together with the salt (sheepish grin) but it shouldn’t be like that.
A: I learned from school before that you should put it only once its cooked so that the pasta won’t stick together.
M: well actually, you put the salt before the water boils so as to lower down the boiling point of the water, saving time and fuel. You put the oil after it boils because oil makes the boiling point higher.
A: depends on the oil
M: hmm, on the other hand, oil and water doesn’t mix. So actually you’ll have different boiling points and water will still boil first.
A: depends on the oil.
———-
And so we wonder what Yui’s perspective will be in our conversations in the future.

what’s in the steamer this Thursday

Posted on by

For Yui. Carrots, okra, tomato with cottage cheese.

20130704-220215.jpg

20130704-220236.jpg

On another note, since last week, the colourful meal and baby yogurt I’ve been giving Yui doesn’t seem to be enough for her. Even when the volume of her colourful meal is just a bit more than enough for babies. She ends up crying for more. Finally confirmed this evening what she’s been looking for. She wants her soup with her meal. She probably got used to having soup with her meal since on her two meals at the daycare, it’s always with soup.

And so from this evening as well, I might have to start preparing batches of soup. First in the list – miso soup! Bought these earlier.

20130704-221431.jpg

Ok, now back to the kitchen.

Yui’s first Tanabata

Posted on by

The Tanabata is usually held during the 7th of July (7-7) but as that day falls on a Sunday this year, Yui’s daycare decided to have it today.

Last week, we were asked to write our wish for Yui on the tanzaku.

20130703-093744.jpg

Something very interesting. In English, we usually say “body, mind and spirit”. In Japanese, it’s “karada mo kokoro mo”, kokoro or heart being the umbrella term for mind and spirit. And yes, that’s what we wrote.

Yesterday, we saw the bamboo (wishing tree) for the 4~5 year old class. Excited to see Yui’s class’ tree.

20130703-094145.jpg

And so to be in with the tradition, I put on Yui what her Dad was so excited to buy for her. Yui’s first jinbei (甚平).

20130703-094320.jpg

20130703-094343.jpg

She was a hit with her senseis.