on Japanese honesty: refunded clinic check-up fee

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Marjorie

I was about to pay for my daughter’s checkup fee after her visit to her paediatrician the other day when the two receptionists bowed and said “申し訳ございませんでした” (Moushiwake gozaimasen deshita/we are terribly sorry for our grave error), that phrase for apology that the Japanese reserve for terrible errors/mistakes. Surprised and baffled, I waited for their explanation. It turned out that they made an error in the fee they charged us during our last visit – TWO MONTHS AGO. So now they are returning the excess amount I payed. The delta? Only ¥370, roughly equivalent to three bottled drinks.

And just in case I didn’t get their explanation right (doctor and nurses speak English but the receptionists do not), they gave me a memo so I can show it to my husband.

Amazed. As I always say, if someone’s dependable on small things, you could count on them to be dependable on big things too.

The clinic was not named after a person since the doctor herself is not named Yui. Rather, Yui here refers to the meaning of the kanji itself which is “bind”. The clinic aims to be a bind in connecting the community even closer.

daycare Summer Festival

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Marjorie

The daycare staff picked a good day and time to have the summer festival/natsu matsuri. It started off at 5:30pm so when we left our house, there was a cool breeze blowing, not humid at all.

At the registration table right before the entrance, Yui was given a sling that would keep tab of all our “purchases”.

Yui keeping tab of what we’ve ordered so far ^-^

The first floor was where we could buy festival food – frankfurts, yakisoba, choco banana. It’s only for the older babies and adults though, we had to bring Yui’s food with us. It felt weird to bring food at the daycare since they usually provide food for Yui. With a couple of the senseis.

We ate our fill at one of the rooms of the second floor. Dad and Yui while Mom eats her yakisoba. It was the most bland yakisoba I’ve ever had though – naturally, because it’s also meant for kids.

Yoyo ball pool!

We didn’t get one for Yui. Turns out she wants one for herself!

We had this for Yui though.

Please tell me what to do sensei

Art time! Design-your-own-fan.

Mikoshi time! For the older kids. Sorry for the blurred photo.

Obon dance time.

Thankfully, the time was right for Yui’s sleeping cycle that’s why she didn’t have a meltdown. A lot of kids had a meltdown however towards the end of the program (it lasted about two hours). Hubs and I could understand. Both of us were actually tired after the activity, to think we just looked around. How much more overwhelming it would be for the kids, and the teachers for that matter!

Instilling culture right at a very young age. Very nice. Thankful.

elections in Japan

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Marjorie

As what yesterday’s Japan Google doodle had shown, yesterday was Japan’s national elections.

I wouldn’t dare explain here how elections and politics are in Japan – every time Hubs explain to me, I end up having more questions.
What I’m amazed with though is how clean the campaign season is. And no I don’t mean the part wherein no politicians are handing money to voters but how there is minimal garbage during campaign season.

Back in the country where I grew up, practically almost all vertical space are taken up by posters and flyers bearing politicians’ names and faces. What you could see here though are temporary wooden structures mounted up every block or so. Each structure has a wall wherein candidates from each party are allotted a certain space.

Hubs said that posting in places other than these allotted spaces are prohibited in Japan. Very impressive. Think of how the flyers could have ruined this beautiful riverside walk had Japan didn’t ban random posting of election flyers.

I just find it funny though how some of the flyers are so advanced. Some of them have barcodes that you could scan with your mobile phones to take you directly to the candidates’ website.

Elections ended at 7pm but as early as 8pm, almost 90% of the results were already out! Impressive. But not nearly as impressive as how cleanliness is kept despite the intensive campaigning.

Kudos Japan for keeping your beautiful country clean!

the baby’s first hanami (cherry blossoms viewing)

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Marjorie

A spring-y outfit for…

…Yui’s first hanami!

This variant blooms days earlier than the white variant so they’re in full bloom earlier this week whilst the white ones will be in full bloom this weekend or early next week.

With the Sakura frenzy, everything now is sakura-inspired. From food products to wines, to toiletries to home cleaning agents. And we try everything too, not only for the novelty of it but because it tastes good (food and wine). Our favourite so far is sakura yogurt.

And look there’s sakura udon too!

The taste? Very very slight sakura taste discerned only by an udon lover.

Japan Spring, you’re so lovely it’s such a waste to while the day inside the house!

Yui’s first Hinamatsuri

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Marjorie

Yui’s first (beautiful) Hina ningyo set, courtesy of her Obaachan! 🙂

The Emperor and Empress and the Sannin Kanjo (three court ladies) up close.

With the celebrant! Happy first Hinamatsuri Yui! 🙂 Everyone is so beautifully round-faced. hehe!

I especially love the sakura designed black lacquer screen and box/stand of this Mataro collectible. .

Setting up was very interesting and enjoyable what with the little parts of the set. We also have to read a bit to know what goes where and to make sure we had the pieces positioned just where they should be (I was particularly proud that I positioned the cherry tree and mandarin orange tree at their right positions without reading first. Teehee). We had to wear gloves while setting it up to avoid leaving marks on the beautiful lacquer.

Much as I want to keep this beautiful Mataro collectible. on display for most of the year, we have to keep with the tradition and store it before March 4 ends. We of course want to wish Yui a family of her own in the far future hence we abide with tradition.

Thankfully, her Obaachan thoughtfully chose a set that comes with a box with which we can store the dolls after the festival and set it aside for next year.

It came with a brush set as well.

I bought these for storing the dolls as well.

Ja, time to store the dolls now!

sakura yogurt

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Marjorie

Everyone in the house, save for the baby, is addicted to this one right now.

On Chocolate Hill

A chocolatey journey, with Yui!

Tag Archives: only in japan