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.
I thought we could get away with it. Unfortunately, you caught it. I was busy in the kitchen the other Saturday, preparing for your best friend’s and her family’s arrival when you said “ちからがでない (I don’t have the strength)” in reply to me telling you to change your clothes. It was only then that I noticed you had fever. Your best friend and her sister came; and in fairness to you, you entertained them as much as you can, ate side by side with Saki, whispering some secret to each other’s ears. But after lunch, you took from the bedroom your comfort blankies and nestled comfortably in the sofa. Your energy was already spent. Visitors of course had to go home early.
We thought it was just the usual colds because you were still sleeping, eating and drinking well, temperature wasn’t too high. But a visit to the doctor confirmed you had the B type influenza, the one not covered by the vaccine (our first brush, and I hope our last).
And so we spent the last ten days inside home except for the three instances that we had to go visit clinics. Your Dad and I had to slather ourselves with essentials oils (diluted of course) as our protection from getting infected. Doctor said you’re contagious up to today. Thankfully, we hadn’t contracted your virus (and I hope I’m not saying this too early because I want to say the EOs really works! And I can’t afford to be off from work for another week). I had body aches though; probably from lack of exercise because you just want me by your side in the bed.
This evening, I went to your room, intending to ask you to finish your drawings so we could take a bath as tomorrow’s our big day after a week-long leave. You had your back to the door but I know something was wrong because your shoulders were slumped. The moment I asked you if you were ok, the dam broke. You bawled and bawled. I finally understood what bothered you. You wanted to draw a cute dog but you couldn’t do it; or rather your hands couldn’t do what you had in mind and it’s making you frustrated.
When in the future baby, you get to be a Mom, you would probably understand that in that instance, you were not the only one who was broken-hearted. I was broken hearted too. Thankfully you listened to me as I tried to comfort you. I reminded you of the figure skaters who did excellently in the Olympics (Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno bagged gold and silver!) and they too had to practice and practice and practice. That for one to be excellent at something, we need to practice everyday.
Thankfully you listened. And I pray and hope you will persevere and will have a determined heart like our Olympic winners.
I like how gender sensitive HAC drugstore is.
Today (again, technically, yesterday) was the Kanagawa fireworks festival/hanabi. The past years, we just stayed at the office to avoid the crowd – we’re lucky that the fireworks display is easily seen from our office windows so we can enjoy the beautiful fireworks sans the crowd but also sans the sound. I wasn’t able to watch it this year though as I had to get out of the office at 5 to pick Yui up. Nor was hubs able to watch it because he went home early to avoid the crowd. And boy was there a crowd!
The yearly hanabi always attracts large crowds that the police/city government had thought of means to ease the flow of people. For one, they’ve set up these dividers to separate people going to the Minato Mirai area and those going to the station back to their homes.
Obviously, I’m on the wrong side and against the tide of people. My bad! There were police around announcing where people should go but I couldn’t understand them.
I haven’t been able to take photos of the fireworks yes, but thankfully, these ladies in their yukatas happily agreed to pose for me!
The yukata is much less elaborate and much cheaper than the formal kimono but it’s still pretty nonetheless!
It’s warm now as May approaches. So I wasn’t expecting roasted sweet potato (or yakiimo in Japanese) would still be sold – they’re usually around during the colder months. But when we saw a man eating his yakiimo passionately on a bench near the grocery section in Ito Yokado, I also craved for one; which had Mayumi laughing and saying “yappari!” (I knew it!). 😀
Happy me the big ones are available again this time!
Yakiimo is so sweet it’s like candied sweet potato. Roasting it on the stone however, brought out its natural sweetness.
Ah. Love.
Yui had her share of the goodness as well, had it with her oatmeal. Like Mommy, like daughter I think. 🙂
I used to hear yakiimo jingles on speakers attached to the trucks of yakiimo sellers. They’re very seldom seen nowadays and that yakiimo are now more frequently sold in supermarkets. I’d prefer buying the traditional way though albeit Ito yokado probably has the best yakiimo in the region. 😀
Two weeks ago, we dropped by the Family Mart nearest our place to get something printed (yes, we still haven’t bought our own printer!). Thankfully there was English instruction on the printing machine so I was able to follow through the instructions. Thing is, it was designed that you drop your coin first before proceeding which is unlike other printing machines in malls and techie stores. So it was only after I dropped my 500yen that I learned that the machine can’t print PDF files, only jpeg files. Disappointed, I cancelled my request and with a frown went out the store, my mind working on re-planning our itinerary for the day with my parents as it was heavily dependent on that document to be printed.
Because my mind was preoccupied, I totally forgot about my 500yen coin, still in the printing machine coin slot. When I remembered about my coin an hour after, it was with a pang – it’s gone for good for sure.
I hadn’t thought about it thereafter and only remembered it when my sis in law and I (and yui) again dropped by the convenience store last Tuesday. With a smile, I suggested to Mayumi to ask the staff if they’ve noticed some coin that was left on the printing machine a couple of weeks ago.
The staff had an eager yes for confirmation and without hesitation gave us our 500yen. Wow.