Tag Archives: only in japan

I saw a Tanuki today!!

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I was happily ruminating on my way home. Reflecting how the day started with two big problems at work; where one could possibly cost us hundreds of thousands, if not a million, dollars, and the other a safety issue. How one ended with me finding a possible cost down effort that will have a bigger impact instead of the initial (deemed) cost increase (much smaller). And how the other one ended with different disciplines agreeing (with much satisfaction) to my proposed solution.

It was a day to be thankful for.

Then, just as I was approaching the back entrance of our condo, I saw in the dark the cutest fur animal I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It stood there frozen, looking at me quizzically, yet somehow also looking at me as if encouraging me to move forward. Its big black round eyes was looking at me curiously. Big round belly. Huge furry tale. Looking at me deeply, so much so that I still feel its stare up to now.

Then it dawned on me that I was seeing in flesh the famed lucky tanuki (raccoon dog) The type so cute the photos I’ve seen doesn’t do it justice. I’m seeing a lucky charm tanuki!

When I realised my good fortune, I flicked open the flap of my phone. Dang. It darted away so fast, faster than I could say “wait”.

The encounter was so overwhelming I’m claiming the good fortune it is famed to bring! 😂🤣😅

Hatsuhinode 2019

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Welcome beautiful 2019!!

I usually do the countdown and the cleaning thereafter. So never, in my entire life, have I tried to catch the first sunrise of the year.

Hence I was surprised with the well of emotions I felt, seeing the beautiful orange rays of the sun shining through dark, ominous clouds. Suffice to say I was moved to tears.

Thank you, Lord, for this beauty and for this new year!

PS

Didn’t have any difficulty waking Yui up and from making her walk for thirty minutes so early in the morning. She was so excited! Grateful for this beautiful start of the year, and with good friends at that too!

life with a toddler: PDA

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Buses here in Japan stops when in idle mode (eg while waiting for the traffic light). And when the engines are off, it can be eerily silent. Yui almost always chooses this particular moment to loudly say in a sweet voice, “Mommy daisuki (I love Mommy)”. It’s one of those moments when you feel several emotions all at once – joy, pride, elation mixed with embarrassment (because of public declaration and because the silence was broken and might have disturbed somebody) and worry (how to teach Yui when to choose the best time to say her affections without discouraging her from expressing her feelings). 
Thank you Anak. You’re giving Mom and Dad immeasurable joy. 🙂

the missing buttons

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After several dry cleanings and still the buttons on my coat are missing, the cleaning shop finally called us to ask if we still have the buttons so that they can put them back. They didn’t even ask for a fee. They just want everything to be in its right place. Amazing.