Thinking Loudly

Day Dream

One fine late afternoon. We cruised the smooth tranquil road of Tokyo. That Sunday, road was open, not much car. Our car was heading toward Rainbow Bridge.
On the bridge, we viewed Tokyo Bay under the clear sky.

Dear Hubby (DH) : "Look at those airplanes lining for their turn to land at Haneda."
Sweet Wife (Me) : "Yeah, look, one, two, three, four, and five including that tiny dot are in line. What a traffic! So many airplanes.... I wonder how many in a day."
DH : " I wonder when we will have our own private jet."
Me : "Hm.... yeah.... well, let's imagine if we have one."
DH : "OK.... how big?"
Me : "Well, not jumbo surely, that normal private jet, say, can accommodate 12 people comfortably, with nice bar, huge screen and unlimited choice of movie."
DH : "Oh, I will definitely invite family from Pakistan to visit us here."
Me : "But you got to select twelve people only, not everybody can come."
I remember our huge big family back in Pakistan. When I visit the country, a bus was rent and more than 50 people of our big happy family came picked us up at the airport.

DH : "Hm.... OK. Ami and Abu are definitely."
Me : "Deal."
DH : "Lala D and family too."
He addressed our big brother and the family.

Me : "OK, that make two plus four, you got six seat left."
DH : "I want Lala T and family too."
Me : "Well, that add up five, only one seat left..."
DH : "Oh that's tough, I want to bring M as he is my favorite and best friend and cousin. But He can't come alone without wife and his two kids."
Me : "Maybe you should give up the kids."
DH : "No kids is good, they should see Japan for exposure and open up their mind."
Me : "But we got only twelve seats, give priority to the adult first... specially those who gave impact to your life. The trip should be an appreciation."
DH : "Well, but...."

"RED HONDA CRV CAR PLATE NUMBER 1234 GO TO THE LEFT SIDE AND STOP!"
A voice in the loudspeaker behind our car followed by loud police sirens broke our day-dreaming.

OH!!! That is our car the police called !!!
A traffic patrol officer on the CHIPS motorcycle followed our car to the side.
The smooth and open road, the conversation, unintentionally invite the speed. We were over-speeding! The 80kmph speed limit was 20kmph less than our speed at that time.
Rest of the story, you can imagine.
____________________________________________________________________________
Language help: Ami : mother, Abu: father, Lala: big brother from male side.
Photo credit: my own

Circus

My honest feeling is, I am not fond of circus. To be precise, the animal show part. For me, animal not belong in the cage, let alone being push to perform the non-animal act like walk on two feet while it has four, do the math, etc. I hardly enjoy the zoo, circus is too much. There is no need to prove and  show human dominants over animal. It obviously clear all over planet Earth (already).
But as parent, I should not limit the opportunity of positive exposure for my kids, they should learn from the abundance opportunities and experiences, get the essence and conclude by themselves. Circus, is one of those you see in your childhood. So when my boss at the office said, Dian here you go free tickets to bring your kids to the circus (that's 12,000 yen), so we went.

Kinoshita Circus is the one of the oldest and biggest circus in Japan. They tour around the country and always attract super long line of bystander.
Started in 1902, the circus stand comparatively strong in the era where all form of children modern entertainment from game center till amusement park are offered.
The almost two hours show with one intermission was wrapped nicely combining man and animal show. Detail program and pictures can be seen here.
My thumbs up for man and women on the show who have full control of their body and extremely well-balanced and super flexibility. Although acrobatic act is not my favorite, but I have to admit, the show gave me thrilled (my eyes always busy to ensure I can see the safety harness is in placed) and excitement.
Zebra, Giraffe and elephants didn't have to do much, only by being exist in the show already spread the happiness and invited warm applause, they are so exotic here. I almost shed tears for the super tall and beautiful giraffe. Though she was well-groomed and huge, my eyes see her as an old lady. Difficult to comprehend the fact that an old lady get collar and lace on the long neck, only to be shown to thousands human-being thousands miles away from the origin land. Am I too much?
The animals were at perfect body shape. They are well-fed, well-groomed, better than you can see in the zoo or (some) National Geographic channel. Well, no surprised, they are the celebrity of their kind.
Six beautiful lion (four male and two female) and four Asian tiger/tigress (can't tell the different) were impressive. Despite their reputation being king and wild of the jungle, they acts like a group of real tame pet cat. Human in full control.
I told my husband, if Lion is really the king of jungle like it is in The Lion King, there are four jungle lost their king as they are being export to Japan.

Although Kinoshita is a pure Japanese circus. More than half of the show performer came from the continent considered as the master of the circus, East and Central Europe.
I want to mention also, the logistic team was great. All set changing was done quickly without we the bystander noticeably realize. Thanks to the two funny clowns act nicely as the attention catcher/switcher.
Facility was OK, tent is sturdy (important as outside was windy and heavy rain), enough toilet and clean, safety device at places, and good enough seat (though hubby complaint the foam layer on the bench should be thicker but well you can't expect to sit on a sofa inside the tent).

All in all I can say, it was entertaining, a bit steep at the price (specially if you want to get the front and central seat, additional money and price come so close to the entrance fee of full day at Disneyland), good experience for kids to give them a break of digital entertainment in the nowadays world.

Photo credit: Pictures taken from Kinoshita Circus website.

Project

My small project which hopefully give big happiness to children.

www.recycleforlove.wordpress.com

For friends who like to participate (specially in Japan), you are welcome.
Let's put smiles on children faces.

Sexy Husband

C my good friend, complaint that she doesn't seem happy if husband help her with chores as the help rather give her extra work or a deep sigh (like he let the tap water keep on running while soaping all the dishes in the sink, what a wasted, she said).

Well, not for me. I love love love it, when dear hubby help me with the chores. I don't really care how he does it (but he does it great, at places, he is better than me, specially at floor and garbage department).
It shows his care and concen, it shows his ultimate understanding that the speed of parents tidying-up is nothing compare to the speed of children messing-up, it shows  his willingness to equally share the burden of work and run the house in the land where servant/helper is no common, and I feel it's really.... sexy ! Indeed it is, many times he complaint when washing the dishes, I would hug him from back, disturbing the process, but I can't help it !

Well, I'm just part of the statistic. Research said, spouses share the household chores is positively affect the sex life. Good reading, encourage your man to read too.

So husbands, go put on the apron and take to mop... for a happy evening, and night.
(and dont you guys think this is easier than hit the gym regularly to look sexy?)

Fresh Gas

"Oh I can't believe the gasoline is this expensive..." I said after filled my tank with 3000 yen which gave me only a little over 17 litter. Far away from a full tank.

"How much is the price? " Asked Raisa, she was the only passenger in the car at that time. Lately since she has been practicing with numbers at second grade school's math, she like to ask question related to numbers including price of the things.

"It is about 170 yen per litter. So expensive. When you were born, the price of gasoline was about 86 yen per litter. That mean, half of now. That mean, the nowadays price is doubled. With the same money now, you can only get half of what you can get seven years ago."

"Wow so expensive..." followed by quiet like she really understand how depressing the price increase is. Then she said,
"It's OK Mommy. The gasoline now is fresh and better quality. You pay money for better quality, so you must be happy."

I was a bit puzzled, but then I remembered. The week before, when we went to a supermarket and I showed Raisa a special mango priced 5000 yen each, she asked me why there is mango with that price while another mango price only 400 yen.
I replied her that because the expensive mango is more fresh and better quality.
So the girl pulled the conclusion.

Killer Heel

There is always a first time.
I never thought I will ever own a pair of killer heel, namely over 4 inches (10,5cm) high heel.
The fact is, I am a no standard size woman (in Asia). I am tall (but well, looking at kids nowadays, I will no longer be tall). Nor am I slimy skinny gal.
I move a lot. Work days, I may move from A to B to C to D offices in back to back schedule. And yes, this is Tokyo, I got to run and climb the stairs of subway station.
If not on train, I drive. I never take out shoes when drive, and we all know how dangerous it is to push the accelerator with the heel.
On holidays, I got to carry more bags that my hand can handle and at times Ken still need to be picked (and he is 17kg), plus I got to run and play ball in park too.
My shoes philosophy is, comfort at par with the look. Any heel over 6 cm wear me out. So I usually go with  4cm pumps for work or at days when I have to move around much, a chic loafer will do.
Weekend goes with anything from sandal to boots, but all with the comfort sole.
I think, I justify my heel's decision enough.
But hubby has been pushing me to own pair of super heel. When I said, that will make me taller than him, he said "Katie is taller than Tom, and that's sexy".
So I ended up with Stuart Weitzman black satin pumps peep-toe, 4.5 inches heel.
I hardly walk in it, but hey, honestly, this one is not for me. For him.

Happy Birthday, my husband, to whom the opinions I'm addicted.

Kitchen Rules

Inspired by one of my fave cooking blog here are my kitchen rules. What is yours?

- Always have at least two litters milk standing in the fridge. Better three, we are milk-mania family.
- Utilize whatever left in your fridge drawer. Feel bad to throw rotten raw ingredients.
- Avoid impulsiveness in food. Buying, trying new recipe. Many times it end up wasted.
- Always have those quick frozen food for the sudden companion's pop-up.
- Buy food product only when the ingredient is recognizable.
- Dinner preparation time: 15 minutes in a weekday, 60 minutes in a weekend.
- Cooking is an art, it should only done when you are into doing it.
- Mass cook in the weekend, distribute in containers, freeze for weekdays.
- Fresh herb tastes ten times better than the dried one.
- Never ever own a sharp knife. It end up cutting my own nail/hand.
- Invest in a good quality kitchen utensil and machinery, they are more economics and efficient.
- Recipe from Mother and Grandma is invaluable inheritance.
- Good cooking and recipe book is an investment.
- Groceries plastic bag piled-up, bring own eco-shopping bag. Trace your carbon print.
- Be frugal, eat food made from local ingredients. Tempe is cheap in Indonesia, but it is a luxury in Japan.
- Reduce deep-fry. For your health. Beside, throwing used oil is troublesome.
- Microwave oven is the most genius machine ever invented.
- Cooking is fun, but it is not all. Remember you have to wash the dishes afterward.
- I love to try recipe of dessert, unfortunately my family doesn't eat sweet that much, so: be my neighbor for a weekly free cake and pie tasting.

Happy Kitchen Queen

Big smile and warm welcome to my two new member of kitchen troops: Cuisinart Waffle Maker and Mini-Prep Processor.

Not only I've been eyeing them for a while, but I got them at super bargain, thanks to Williams Sonoma's store at Woodburry Commons Premium Outlet at Central Valley, NY.

The waffle maker at $39.99 with 20% discount, down to $31.99 = 3,327 yen only ! While the price in Japan is 15,200 yen !!! Almost 80% bargain... !!!
The processor I got at $39.95 with 20% discount, so it tagged at $31.96 = 3,323 yen only! While the price in Japan price is 19,800 yen !!! I saved over 80%  !!!

Raisa was happy with the waffle for breakfast on Sunday. The marvelous round golden waffle made from Bellegem Waffle mix and the new machine. She declared: "From today, this gonna be my everyday's breakfast".

Friends in Japan. If you are targeting any cooking machinery originated from the US, do not, I repeat, DO NOT buy it in Japan.
Even if you buy it online, plus the shipping cost to Japan, you still get a bargain. And yes, the electric voltage and plug is exactly the same.

Pictures from Cuisinart website

Local Update

Been out of Japan and these what welcome me home:

- Further crazy hike of the price of gasoline. It is now 171 yen per liter compare to 151 yen when I left just eight days before.
- New traffic rule to buckled up for every one sit in a car. If  passenger don't buckled the seat belt, the driver risks to a fine and  penalty point on the driving license.
- If you are 75 and over, by law, you should put the sign mark visible on your car (a yellow and orange leave shape) to let other driver know that; senior behind the wheel.

No Powdering, Please !

That Japan Railway provides women only carriages on major train lines, doesn't mean you can do the women's routine in it.

Multiple choices:
a. Japanese urban culture's no-no
b. Make-up application's offensive level is par with cell phone usage in public. (But how about those ojisan who read porn manga in the train!)
c. The shaken of the carriage can disturb your application process and JR doesn't take responsibility for uneven eyelines.. or mascara accident to your neighbour's blouse? well, never happen, Japanese girl really sharp.
d. Be pretty right from your door step.
e. It's okay if no time for make-up. Beauty is from within.

Fine line reads:
Please refrain from putting your make up in the trains.

My Allergies

One day over fifteen years ago, I couldn't resist the temptation of tasting the fresh fried shrimp served in a famous seafood restaurant. Huge size of fresh water shrimp, brightly orange colored, hot from the pan, yummy smell. So I had one of them. Not much, only one. Just to fulfill the carving in me. But at an instant, even after I swallowed the antihistamines pill, my face started to itch. Reddish dots appeared everywhere. My throat swollen inside, I hardly breath. I went to emergency room and get a shot to control the allergic reaction. That was shrimp allergic reaction. I had it since I was a child.

But, that was a history. I don't know the science of human body, but years after living in Japan, I started to try to eat shrimp. Start with an accident which result no reaction, then very little bite at the beginning, until now, I can eat as much as shrimp as I want. All type of shrimp, including the tiger shrimp imported from Indonesia! The allergy just gone. Without treatment, without medication.
That is the good story.

The bad story is, just years after living in Japan, my body develop a new kind of allergies I never had before. Strong allergic of pollen. Specially the yellow cedar one. Once I counted, I sneezed more than 400 times in a fine Springs day. That, plus swollen teary-ichy eyes.
Allergy to dust, outdoor and house dust (can't imagine if I had this when I was living in Indonesia, would be so terrible).
Allergy to certain types of grass.
Allergy to morning.

Anybody understand how this happens?

Four Days Break

What we did in the Golden Week:

Saturday, May 3 (Cloudy, Rain)
Inaka drive Day. Inaka mean country side. One of our favorite thing to do is drive out of our busy town, go inward to the deep of Chiba Prefecture. No special target, just thru some small towns and villages, stop at any spot we find it interesting. So off we went to the green side of small towns like Honda, Mobara. It's a wonder how a 50 minutes drive away, brought us to middle of nowhere. Big open farming land. Bushes and many tall trees. Houses with big lawn (scarce in Tokyo). Had a sushi lunch (which I think was crazily expensive, for Inaka standard). Stopped at a local store and bough pairs of socks (just for fun). Stopped for two hours at a huge hilly park called Showa no Mori (Jungle of Showa). Children had a blast there. The park hosted some children outdoor game/activities (like outbound), we will definitely come back one day. On the way back, we found a poultry farm sold fresh egg. So I bought dozens of fresh eggs that make friends and neighbors smile and open their recipe book for egg-based dish.
Back just in time to see the American Idol.

Sunday, May 4 (Cloudy, Drizzle)
Shinjuku Day. When all people go out of Tokyo to spend their four-straights-days of holiday, jamming all the out of town route, we went to the heart of Tokyo. The jungle of sky-scrappers of the city: Shinjuku. One night stayed at a junior suite room, courtesy of corporate rate at Hilton. Children happy jumping up and down the king bed, bubbles game at bathtub. Lazying around after checked-in. Late afternoon we decided to go around Shinjuku. Went to Times Square by hotel's bus (Ken loves loves the bus). Bought good books at Kinokuniya. Strolling around under the sky. Amazed by the super long line to enter Krispy Kreme. It took at least two hours of line standing to get the doughnut!!! What's so special with this doughnut?! It opened up the store last year in Tokyo and at an instant create the three hours long queue. Today, a year later, the line was still two hours! So we are not that crazy craver to stand in the line and waste hour precious two hours for some buns with the hole in the middle....
Made a come back visit for dinner at El Torito, our family's favorite Californian-Mexican restaurant... (should write a review on this one day). Walked around between the giant concretes which beautifully lit-up at night. Back to hotel and everyone went straight under the blanket.... too tired of walking, too full stomach.

Monday, May 5 (Cloudy)
A lazy morning. Won't leave the bed if not for catching the buffet breakfast time which end at 10:00. Had big but healthy breakfast (bread selection was extensive! All great except the waffle. Fruits and cheese was so-so). Checked-out just minutes after noon and as today is Kodomo no hi (Children's day) we head to the place children love the most: park. Ueno park was crowded as expected. But we promised Raisa for boating on the park's pond. The row boat can only handle three persons max, so we rode Swan paddle boat. Paddled, paddled. I never like boating, but I am a mother. Spend the rest of the afternoon in the park, ate typical Japanese matsuri (festival) food: choco banana (banana dipped in chocolate, sprinkled with another colorful chocolate), jagabata (hot steamed potato topped with butter and mayonnaise), bake corn, soft cream (ice cream). In the car, kids slept all the way back home.
Evening, did two pages of scrapbooking with Raisa.

Tuesday, May 6 (Sunny, at last!)
The only sunny day of the golden week holidays. It was hot. Temperature reached 27C, so we decided to go to the neighborhood beach. Before that, stopped at Plena Square to see some live entertainment. Local band and magician. Surprisingly, there was a monkey show. First time for me to see "topeng monyet" in Japan. It is just the same like the one I saw in Salatiga, Indonesia, when I was an elementary school girl. Monkey is monkey.
Many people at the beach. The para surfing club was in full action. Hubby and I enjoyed to see the kite-and-surf actions. Children wet at an instance. Building sand castle, collecting shell and wakame (seaweed for miso soup dinner at home). Though the water was bearable cold, the chilly wind was not. We left the beach at four and went for hot latte and croissant at out local fave cafe.
Did groceries at Carrefour (sign of back-to-real-life), cooked fish curry and dined at home.

Bad Gas News

Not too fast, people...
For us who has been smiling, enjoying the reduced price of gasoline for the last 30 days, now have to face the bitter fact.
It only stood for April. As of today the price of gasoline officially soar up by at least 30 yen (that is, 25%).
At my neighborhood gas stand, per-liter price was a handsome 119 yen last night, this morning,  a crazy 153 yen.
Blame to the political fight between political parties, between Lower and Upper House. Detail here.

I am now seriously thinking to be like typical Japanese salary man; use car only in the weekend.
Dear bicycle, after the long hiatus of winter, you will be my best friend again.

Breast Matter

Yesterday, after two years, I did it again.
It was very uncomfortable.
Expose your naked breast. Put them in between two plates and flatten squeezed. From side to side, from up and down.
The machine looks like something you would see in a gym. But this one not to squeeze your muscle, but your breast.
I felt like a cow. Very uncomfortable fifteen minutes process.
But what is uncomfortable fifteen minutes, compare to long painful emotionally drain process a breast cancer can penetrate in you?
It can be years, it can be fatal.
One of my close friend was there.

This is an open invitation to all girlfriends. Beside self exam you do after shower, go, go, go to do your Mammograms.
No matter how uncomfortable it is. Do it.

Let me remind you the statistic:
One in 25 women in Japan has it. One of 7 of us during life, have risk to it. Every 3 minutes, a women is diagnosed with breast cancer in the world.

Spring Rain

April never been my favorite month. Not only because the pollen allergic, not only because the gloomy days of never-ending Spring rains, but most of all it is the month of lots of farewell.
No matter how many times we say good bye, never master it, never good in it.
April. The cut-off date for business. The start of school year.
People come and go.
We stay.
This year, we said good bye to two very good family friends whose study and job are done in Japan. The two families whose so dear in our heart.
The Fajar's ( Fajar, Cici, Tata, Ian) went back to Bandung.
The Ghaar's (AG, Nihal, Ganna) left back to Cairo.

This week, Raisa received a letter from Tata, two weeks after she went back to Bandung.
Tata has been her best buddy for the last 2,5 years. Two first-graders hand in hand in most of the weekends.
With her permission, I posted the letter:

らいさちゃんへ
らいさちゃん　おげんきですか？
いまのあたしはとってもおしあわせです。
オイノリレッソンをしています。らいさちゃんのおかげです。
じぶんのへやでじぶんでねることもぜんぶぜんぶぜんぶらいさちゃんのおかげです。
そちもらいさちゃんしあわせでね。
さよなら。

Dear Raisa,
How are you? Are you well?
I am now very happy here.
I'm learning how to pray, that's thank to you.
I started to sleep in my own room, by my own, for that I really thank you.
You also, please be happy there.
Sayonara.

It touched me. I didn't know that their friendship was so encouraging. Was positively impact each other.
(Despite some girls fight every now and then)
Raisa learnt how to be more brave from Tata. Not to cry when she bruised her knee.
To give jet coaster a try. Even though she hated it so much, but Tata encouraged her.
I didn't know that Raisa encouraged Tata to be brave to sleep at her own room, and to pray.

The night she said good-bye to Tata, she cried.  She said, she prayed to God that one day they can be together again.

Good Gas News

On the happy news, I should share this one.
The government of Japan decided not to extend the expiry rule of fuel-tax which expired end of March this year.
That resulted, price of gasoline reduce by 25 yen per liter from April 2008. Nearby gasoline stand reduced the per liter price to 121 yen/liter from 145 yen/liter the night before. A significant one.
Yay! Time for driving out town, anyone?

Love Hurts

Some asked me why I never write about Ken.
I don't know, maybe the fact being number two child, the milestone was not as new and excited as the first child? Maybe I am just bad.
But let me try.

For the 1089th time this morning I heard again this song. Love Hurts by Rod Stewart. I used to like this song. But after the rolling repeating uncounted times for the last three months, I got intoxication. Not only I loose interest but I dislike the song.
Ken loves loves loves this song. Don't know why (perhaps the fact that Stewart birthday is the same with Ken's Mommy? : P).
Never ever he sits in the car without pointing the iPod dock and said: "Itai-Itai song !". Itai means "hurt" in Japanese. As for his connotation hurt means like when his knees hurt after trip down and bruised when playing in the park, when he listened this song, he will hold his knee.

The song is too melancholy and depressive, not the one that you want your child to hear over and over again. But if I refused to put the song, he will have that super sad face like really understand that love is really hurting  (even when I put another happy song).
So here we are. Morning driving from home to Day Care, two roll of Love Hurts. Evening, at least three or more roll of Love Hurts. Weekend....don't ask.

He started to memorized the lyric (in his own pronunciation) and with the age gap only 60 years, he sing aloud together with Grandpa Stewart, sharing the misserable feeling a man can get from love...

He started to love this song since hubby banned his previous love song: Mr. Cab Driver as it contain the f**k word.
Don't ask me why he loves adult song. He just does.
He jumps from Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star when he was two years old to No Woman No Cry (Bob Marley), Mr. Cab Driver (Lenny Kravitz), and now when he is three, Love Hurts.
I know the song is too sad and depressive for a three years old. But if I don't put the song, he gets really depressed.

And aside of the song time, he is a happy, crazy, little adorable monkey (sometime monster).

Piano Recital

I still remember the early days of her piano lesson, when she encountered problem with her music notation, when she cried staring at the song partitures in frustration.
I told her, she can stop if this is not make her happy. Mommy doesn't want to push you to do something you don't like. But if she likes the music, want to be able to play piano, she needs to work hard, not to give up.
So she chooses not to giving up. She keeps on practicing and practicing.
Last week she proved her hard work resulted.
Her first stage performance.
Dressed in purple of her own choice. She looked so pretty.
The song "Sampo" the opening song of movie: Tonari no Totoro or My Neighbor Totoro was played perfectly by Raisa.

the happy face....

Trust?

"Do you know how to operate this?" She asked me after five minutes attempt to get the machine started didn't result any progress.

"Me? Well....no... but it looks like a Windows screen, you seem need to key in your password." I said a bit surprised as the cashier asked me, the customer, how to operate her credit card machine.
The machine looks like a new one, with wide screen, presumably operate by the Microsoft observing from the screen style. The young part-timer girl whose role both as Waiter and Cashier (and she was the only one in the restaurant other than the Cook in the kitchen) looked so confused. Me, the customer, been waiting standing for almost seven minutes by now. Should not let the customer who ready to pay wait that long.
It was lunch time. A quick one for me after my prolonged meeting (that office cafeteria closed already), before I need to run to my next one. People rarely pay lunch by card giving the fact that lunch rarely cost a steep price. Most of lunch set cost around half of the dinner. Cash is common. But that day, rarely occurrence, my cash was zip, I just forgot to stop by the ATM. I got to pay the only 1200 yen bill by card. The machine just turned on when I handed her the card.

" The password? Where to key in?" She still confused and started to open her small note book listed of password.
" Maybe this one.... oh I am afraid to make mistake.... can you help?" She asked me with the nervous look.

I feel a bit awkward, but it is now ten minutes and a waste of my time. So I stepped in to the other side of the Cashier counter and tell her how to key in the password.
The system looked running now, it said we need to wait.

" Oh thank you, I am really bad in computer. Thanks to you... would you mine to wait a bit as this machine may want me to key in something else ?"

Suddenly, a group of customers enter the restaurant. She need to assist them with the table and take the order. In a second split, she ran to handle them, leaving me alone.
I was standing at the Cashier side. In front of me were the credit card machine and a cash register  with the drawer opened as she keyed-in the amount I need to pay, but still wait the card machine to progress to close the drawer.
In the cash drawer was stack of money, ten thousands, five thousands, one thousand yen bills... coins....full income from the lunch batch that day.
I was amazed by the situation. How careless she is. I am the customer. I am left alone in front of the open money drawer!
Thank God I have no interest to commit a crime. Otherwise it is all in front of me...
Thank God I am not her manager. Otherwise she is a history...

Some minutes lapsed and the machine seems working now (after me guided her to hit some "Enter" button).
Transaction done.
I still amazed.

Money Matter

No, friends. Not like what you said in your mails.
With Yen handsomely climbing up to its stronger position ever in over twelve years against Dollar (this morning 1$=96.4 yen !!!), that doesn't give my personal benefit. Perhaps for some other people.
But, I earn Yen, I spend Yen. I am living here in Japan, don't you remember?
Call me left behind economist  but I don't cross border my Yen for investment. I don't play forex. I have some USD saving but the purpose is really for saving, the rainy days, not profiting.
And guess what now, the value reducing.

Like you too all over the world, I have to oversee my home cash flow, balance sheet which trembled  by the crazy economic turmoil.
Never ending increase of dollar per barrel (it nearly touched $111/barrel !!!) which make our cars seems never getting along with the wallets. I still remember it was 102yen/litter two years ago, now 145yen if you lucky to get a gas station with an  offer. The quietly reduce packaging size of sugar (and all daily necessary) from 1kg to 900gr to maintain the same price. News just announced that air ticket will increase the price by about 15% from April (again!)l. Even the subsidized cafeteria at office increased all their lunch meal price by 14%.
I might get a bit relief by living in Japan. As the Made-In-China product keep on flowing and their price can be half than domestic product. By the "managed" inflation rate in Japan which 2% consider too high.
But still, like you, like everybody else in this downfall economic earth, I have to be money wise. Be frugal.

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

If you brought-up in country like Indonesia, most probably you have had choose any of this profession: doctor, pilot, engineer/scientist, president, teacher.

Yesterday I received Raisa's school final bulletin magazine for this term.
Page 1 and 2 dedicated for the first grader where each child wrote down in their own handwriting of what they want to be when they grow up.

From 105 first grader this year, here is the rank:

1. Cake shop Attendant -  19 children
2. Bakery/Bread shop Attendant - 12 children
3. Professional Soccer Player - 6 children
4. Pet shop attendant - 5 children
5. Nurse - 4 children
6. Comic book writer - 4 children

The list goes on, naming all type of profession from Ice Cream Seller, Idol, Common grown-up (futsu no otona), Housewife, Ski Instructor, Professional Baseball Player, Ballerina, Lemon Seller, Swimming Coach, Musician, etc.

How about the (so-called) popular profession?
Pilot - 1 child
Lawyer - 1 child
Doctor - none
Engineer - none
Scientist - none
President/Prime Minister - none

Culture difference? Expectation difference?

Changi T3 - Smile before Fly

If I have to rate the best International airport in the world, from traveller's point of view it definitely be Singapore Changi Airport, the new Terminal 3.
Oh no, I don't get tips to write this. I'm just a happy customer.

I am not talking about the old terminals (1 & 2) in which I feel the ceiling is too low and the color of carpet that give you the sense of compacted, last thing you want before or after "trapped" for hours in the compacted metal tube called: airplane.

Terminal 3 is just perfect. Officers and attendants with smile on the faces. Architectural design give you the feeling of big modern open space. The interior design give you relax yet elegant atmosphere, cool, friendly, green (I observed closely to the palm trees and amazed to find out they are real tress!), water and art. Enough number and space to sit in multiple funky yet cozy sofas. You can just relax and lay down on those many fully reclined ergonomically comfort seats in front of the jungles green interior, or virtually stroll the world by the free-service internet. You can shop till drop in long list of shop not only the high-end of brands which is common for international airports, but also from all level of the suppliers. Price is compete-able with city stores, some even better without the GST (or the hassle to get the GST refunded). You can fulfill your appetite from the long list of restaurant, fine class or adventurous food stall on the third floor or just hand out at some bars, which include pool tables and games..
I didn't try the shower and spa offer, as apparently five hours is not enough to do that giving the many thing to do or to enjoy in the terminal, but they are available and I wonder they look and feel the same as a real spa cause even the transit area itself already feel like a spa resort.

Having a family with small kids (even they were not with me this time) my eyes always search the facility for kids (which is available and I can say better than most of the airport I ever visited) and the safety for kids (carpeted but clean floor, no dangerous object like unattended pond without barrier, etc.)

One of the point nowadays travellers like-it-or-not have to face before depart is the security long lines. In Changi, they managed to do it quick, thorough (without ask you to open the shoes unlike in any airport in the US which require you to barefoot no matter what), professional yet didn't give the sense that you are a possible treat to the society. Which give you a good feeling, specially when you are away from home and loved ones.

If there is something to be improved, I would say, a faster speed of the internet access, please. But oh well, it's free!

Singapore is definitely a top smart player to compete the race of transit hub in the region.

http://www.changiairport.com/t3/

Itchy Head

This part of parenting, I never ready. (together with this one)

Hard for me to believe (even I know this is rather nothing unusual), not only in the middle of deep village in third world country, but here in Tokyo, we may receive the same unwanted guest, the Head Lice.

I thought hubby only exaggerate things when he checked on Raisa's head after she complained that her scalp itched, he mentioned it could be lice.
I am a cosmo career Mommy, I can handle complex customer deal, but head lice? Help!
And, we are living in a new build condo where cleanliness and hygiene is not only personal matter, but the whole building rule. Lice or pest is the last thing I ever expect.

But I just red now that having head lice is not a sign of uncleanliness or poor hygiene. The pesky little bugs can be a problem for kids of all ages and socioeconomic levels, no matter how often they do - or don't - clean their hair or bathe.
Nevertheless, I was shock.  More than the surprise attack the lice family received when I pour the medicine on Raisa's head. Two fat lice fell off, I almost fainted to see them...

I cut Raisa's hair short. Hubby shaved Ken's head until almost bald for prevention. Turned down the bed sheet. Turned down all the towel. Vacuumed the carpet.

The real victim is Raisa. Not only itchy head, but it is difficult for her to accept that she got the bugs on her head. For a girly, princessy, appearance-and-health-conscious person, this is a hard hit (even the haircut alone already a big deal, she always wanted long hair).
That plus, for the next four days she has to face this without Mommy who had to go on a trip down south.

Oh.....

Balloon & Caravan Sunday

Yesterday was the day we made up with kids for that many busy days. So schedule was tailor made to fulfill the little people's demand.

First, Raisa wanted to see the Twist Balloon exhibition as she got the brochure from her school. Twist balloon has been one of her top interest lately that I was thinking that she wanted to be a balloon twister when she grew up, no longer want to be a teacher or any other profession which change every some months (and I was slightly let that imagination play around after saw in television some weeks ago that the juggler twisting balloon in costume at the corner of the street, was in average earn 500,000 yen per month from the coins they collected in the up-side-down hat after the show - that is almost 5000 USD!)
It was really like a dream world. A huge hall decorated all with all type of colorful balloons. Twisted, shaped to any imaginable things. There are even some balloon kimono you can try to wear on. Children can also get a small course how to twisted some basic shape and bring home some balloon goody. Raisa eyes sparkled. A real heaven for seven years old.

Then, a stop at a thrift toys shop to choose one toy as you like. Ken got his Tomica Car Parking portable for his car toys collection, used but like new, at 30% of the market price . Raisa got a do-it-your-self Little Twin Stars muffler knitter, new but half price of the market. Both kids had a big smiling face.

Next stop, was actually a surprise treat for Raisa.
She's been asking us countless of time about caravan and home mobile lately. She just saw in TV and sometime on the street, and since then, her curiosity kicked-in. How the caravan looks like inside? What kind of kitchen it has? How do you sleep in it? How you get the water for the toilet inside the caravan? Do you have microwave inside it? Any heater for the cold days? How many people can sleep in? The list never ends.
Dear husband decided to play "going caravan shopping game", we went to two caravan/camping-car show room & dealers and acted as a very prospective customer. So there we were,for hours in and out different types of caravan, big and small, the build-in type and the pull-over type. Checked the gadget and facility, amazed to see the compact doesn't compromise the elegance and comfort. Laid on the bed, saw the shower and toilet, learned how the water, gas, electric system run inside, received different kind of offer and discount, and a bunch of brochure to help us decide which model we will decide to purchase.
Raisa and Ken had a blast. But not only them, me and hubby were enjoying too. In fact, I got to pull him out before the salesman succeeded to persuade him to end the drama and buy one!

Day was ended by a treat of ice cream. Double scoop in waffle cone for each of us.

It was great. Abundance fun, cheap price. The balloon and the caravan was free, rather we got some goodies! Really good as alternative to another free activities (like park) which not an option in these cold winter days.

Tipping

There are things which always make me uneasy when do travelling, no matter how frequent I travel abroad. Tipping is on the top of my list.

For those who know me, sharing small fortune never bother me. The problem is, I rather daunted by the thought of improperness.
There are too many unwritten rule about tipping. The amount, like for waiter in restaurant, 15% from your total bill. 20% is you extra happy with the service. One or two dollars or Euro for some cafe of coffee shop. Some 10% of the number in the meter for taxi driver. 2-3 dollar for each piece of your luggage. Three dollar on your bed for the hotel cleaning service and if you stay in bigger better hotel/room, this should be increase too (I just learned this!). Two to five dollars for the room service delivery. Some five dollar for the Concierge if he is able to get you ticket to the city concert... the list continues....

The thing is, if you don't follow such as custom, you can be considered as rude. For me, I don't want to be taken as rude or insensitive to local custom. Specially, most of the time I travel alone and need those friendly smiles to accompany my stay.

Blame it to the employer who pay the minimum wage that this service employee expect the tips income to fulfill their balance to pay their personal bills, but shouldn't this arrange by the government to set a standard of payment and the service fee should be included in the invoice the same way the tax is?

Been living in Japan for long where tipping is not a practice, better to say, is not encourage and allowed, tipping always create a headache for me.
Is this amount proper to give? Too little? Too much? How should I give it, just slip it to his hand quietly or give it in open with big smile? I haven't got small change as I just come to the country and the only dollar/Euro I have are in big amount bill. Isn't it awkward to say can I have 95 dollar back from the 100 dollar bill I am giving you for tip? I run out of small bill and want to pay the things by credit card, but how about the tips? Isn't it strange to tip in foreign currency coins, but hey I don't have small bills... and 500 yen coins valued five US dollar bills! How about if you are not happy with the service of the waiter (think of busy French waiter, reckless taxi driver), that will make me feel I am being robed for tipping that unfriendly guy!

It is good to share. To reward. But there should be a better way to do this. Why don't we just make it easy, like here in Japan: include all the service fee to the bill, or best, to the price of the product. Bundle price.

And don't you think, the attitude to  best serve your customer should come from your deep motivation of work instead of the expectation to receive some dollars at the end?

No NYC

At this time, I supposed to be at JFK airport waiting to board my fourteen hours and ten minutes flight back home, smiling of the satisfaction of  Hairspray the musical I supposed to see at Broadway last night, happy with the bag full of things I supposed to bought at the biggest Macy's, satisfied with the always exciting visit to MoMA .
Those things I love about NYC.

Instead, I am home back in Japan, still with jet-lag, still with the big disappointment, that I had to shorten the trip. I didn't know that they cancelled the flight to New York. So I left the hotel with big spirit "Manhattan, here I come!", wish to finish the meeting quick and start my own exploring. The thing I always try to do every time visit USA. Make the route stop over New York, please.

It was just not my luck this time. Snow storm all over the Eastern Coast. JFK closed for 24 hours and still no confirmation on when it will open again. Train and most of transportation stuck, covered by the eight inches keep on pouring snow. Plus the wind gust.
The storm spread 3000 miles move slowly from west to east at the northern part of the US.
As the American Airline staff said, "Mam, it is for your best interest not to be at NYC at the time". Ok, get me any route back to Tokyo thru the west side, please.

So here I am. After the 22 hours journey back home.
Sad a bit, but so happy and relax to be home.
My nest, the place full of love.

Letter for Raisa (3) - America

Dear Raisa,
(Please ask Daddy to help you to read this letter, there are many words new for your reading)

I'm so glad you've been a good girl even when Mommy is away. I know I can trust you as the woman of the house when I am not around.
So proud of you!

After a long trip, Mommy arrived in Raleigh three days ago. It took twenty one hours from home to reach the hotel here.
That is like from the time you get to school, all the way until you go back home, sleep at night and wake up again in the morning.
Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina in America. You are familiar with the word America, right?
America also called as The United States of America, or in short: USA. It read as U-S-A. Some people call it as "The States" or "Uncle Sam". I have to admit I don't know the history why it called as "Uncle Sam", I will find out and let you know later.
Yes it is the place where they do the American Idol competition. The place you saw many times in TV. The place where Mr.Walt Disney made the first Disneyland (many years later they open one in Japan). The place where Mommy's office belong too.

Because located at other part of the Earth, America has different time compare to Japan. Please see the map.
There are many time zone in America, for North Carolina, it is fourteen hours behind Japan. That means, at this time when Mommy
write the letter, it is 10:20 Wednesday night, and it is  Thursday 12:20 noon in Japan.

America is so famous in the world for many reasons, like the are one of the most modern and rich country (Japan too). They are the leader in many matter.
Many people like it, but they are whose dislike it. Many reason why, but Mommy will not tell you now as you are too young. You will learn by yourself as you get bigger, and decide by yourself.
Don't let people decide for you.
Make your mind up after seeing so many facts and experiences.
Don't make a conclusion from small thing only.
As you will not be happy if somebody do that to you.
This is important thing in life.

America is a big country. Both from size of the land and number of people living here, America is number three in the world.
From size of the land, number one is Russia, number two is Canada, number three is America.
From the number of people living in that country (or you can call it "population"), number one is China, follow by India, America is number three.
Do you know who is number four? It is Indonesia !

Unlike in Japan where most of the people look the same as Japanese, in America there are many races like Caucasian, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and the original American Indian. Each has different type of look, different color of skin and hair. I told you some time ago about these races. But if you forget, I will tell you again when I will be back.

The things I like in America are many. Like many good friends , friendly people, language is English which is not as difficult
as Nihongo, big open spaces, people is individually unique and free, and last but not least my favorite city: New York, which I will tell you later after I will visit it later this week.

The things I don' like it here is the food. Food serving size is way-way too big. I never able to finish one portion, and I feel so guilty to leave food unfinished.
You know, there are many people not as lucky as we are, we should not waste. Because this big size of food serving that makes many people getting too fat in America. Not good for health.
Taste is also not fit to me (and I know for you too), sweets are too sweet. Cream is too creamy.
Other thing is, in most place in America, you definitely need a car for transportation. Very different with Japan where at almost all places, all type of public transportation is easy, reliable (mean "you can trust"), clean, comfortable and affordable (mean "cheap"). Here, train and bus are rare, except in the middle of a big city.
Talking about transportation, people drive at the right side of the road. Different with Japan.

OK, it is getting late now. I will talk to you later on phone.
Please don't forget to brush your teeth and doa before sleep.
Kiss Ken and Daddy for me.
I love you.

Mommy

Jetlag

After sandwiched between two big guys at middle row of economic class of JAL (which size is Japanese standard), after hours of transit plus delay on the connecting flight, I arrived here at Raleigh. Twenty one hours after I left my home's door.

No laundry to do, no food to cook, no dishes to clean, no house chores. But with this jetlag, nothing to enjoy. Headache cling on my head. Plus that nervous feeling drive in the "right" side, which for me feel as the "wrong" side.

North Carolina is surprisingly warm. People in half sleves, while my suitcase packed with wool and cashmere. Wrong costume (again! - after last year Europe trip, or, should I call it global warming?). It was freezing when I left Tokyo. It was negative temperature when stopped in Chicago. But here, no coat, no sweater is needed.

Heading to the bed now.

Survived

Human being is a creature of survival. Well, I am not talking about biological science here, I just talking about myself.

My job has been changed since October last year. However my successor from China, kept delaying his coming to Japan for the transition for this and that reason. That mean, I got to survive the last 3,5 month handling two jobs. New responsibility keep flowing in, while the old one remain. After the negotiation and long time taken to process the visa to visit Japan, Mr.Successor finalized his trip plan.
Jan 30-Feb 6, try to get it done before the Gong Xi Fa Cai festive, as this humble me can no longer wearing two hats at the same time. The short hand-over meeting, mean morning till night tight schedule.

On Jan 30, not only Mr. Successor came, but something else seems visited dear hubby and dear son's bodies. All of a sudden, hubby and Ken down with high fever near 40C, severe body pain. Raisa got slight trouble too, but not that bad. Visit to our family doctor resulted a set of antibiotics and paracetamol. I pray so hard for them to get well soon. At this time, it is just impossible to leave the office. I have to deal with this super guilty feeling not able to be by my boys side when they are sick. Not easy, but I have to manage my concentration. Try to do as much as I can at home, run to work and do all the whole day lecture stuffs. Back and forth.

Prayer was not instantly answered because after three days, temperature remained. Medicine finished. This must be something else. My hubby has been a very strong and say nothing when endure any pain. But this time, he was really down and continuously complained. So I decided that night, at 11PM to bring them to emergency room. Rain poured heavily that night (later turned to snow). Me, drove the car at middle of the freezing cold night, brought my whole sick family.
Well, that might not sound so heroic, but for me, I feel so relief (now) that I did it. I'm glad that I was strong enough to handle things. Slept only a little over 4 hours a night for straight week with that heavy responsibility at work and home, restless mind. I missed my mother and the whole support system offer by the family system if living in Indonesia, but here, alone, I survived.

It turned out that Hubby and Ken got Influenza type A. Raisa got a common cold. All had to bed rest. Ken was suggested to be hospitalized, but doctor agreed to let him treated at home with this and that notes.

Mr. Successor went back to Beijing after completed a series of  comprehensive sessions from a lady whose body might be surrounded by the million viruses she got from her family (but she survive).

The lady can smile. Specially after a long weekend sleep surrounded by healthy family.

Hisashiburi

Hisashiburi means "after such a long time".

Two things visit our home after such a long time.

If someone is not feeling well at home, most of the time it would be me. I am blessed with husband and children whose somewhat not the type that virus and bacteria whould like to pick for a stay.
But last night I had to brought them to emergency room due their long high fever. Been four days since the last doctor visit who prescribed the set antibiotic and types of paracetamol. Didn't work.
The verdict: Influenza type A.
For me, the influenza shot I had at the office last November seems to works well.

Surrounded by thousands germs flying around on the air, this morning I woke up, delighted by the millions other thing on the air.
The flakes.
Snow has been falling, changed all to white in the neighbourhood. After such a long time.

A sad and happy feeling mixed at once.

Good Girl

" I'm so glad to have you, Sweetheart. You are so good girl." I kissed her forehead, tucked her in bed, last night.
This time of the day, is one that I cherish. Cuddle with kids, talk heart to heart. Put some sweet words before the sweet dream take over.
She smiled, her sleepy face looked so beautiful.

" Thanks Mommy, you are a good mother." her eyes looking deep in mine.

" Oh, you are so sweet to say that..."
I feel warm in my heart. Specially being a working mother, even I try to balance all the time, I countless time worry that my kids look at me as a selfish person, not a good Mommy.
Then, curiosity kicked in.

" Why you say I am a good mother? "

" You are so kind and take care of me so well, you are smart and sometime angry to me and Ken too" she replied.

" Hm... so angry is one of the thing that make a good mother, you think? "

" Yes. Because you angry to make me a good person. Sometime I am so naughty and you have to be angry to me."

I am so glad that she realizes that. I remember one day she also mentioned, one day, she wanted to marry a guy like Daddy. Because Daddy is so handsome, kind, intelligent and strict to the kids.
When I asked if she thinks strict is good, she said, yes definitely, if not kids will be out of control and will not grow to be a good person. I want a husband who can angry to my children to make them good persons.

Raisa, I'm so glad to have you, Sweetheart. You are so good girl.

Special

Yesterday was our 9th wedding anniversary.

"You choose, we will have dinner wherever you like " dear hubby offered.

"Well.... I want to have dinner at Farm Grill, in the sake of the memory." I mentioned the name of restaurant where we had our wedding celebration nine years ago.
That night, me in white dress, surrounded by family and dearest friends, seems just like yesterday.

"You know they closed down some years ago... you can choose other restaurant in that area, there are many selection in Ginza."

" I know it no longer exist, but I just want it..." said the melancholy me.
" If you were a billionaire, will you make that restaurant open again for me tonight?"

" Hm.... that is not possible. That big restaurant need preparation."

" Say, you got twenty-four hours and unlimited money. That can be arranged... money speaks louder than words...." I didn't give up my imagination game.

" Honey, Sweetheart, get real. I want to make you happy and fulfill what you want. But this is Japan. If this is other country, then yes, I will make Farm Grill for you. But in this country, you know how people stick to the rule. You can't open a restaurant without A-B-C license and this and that paper. Even if you want to make fake one, still there are some rules. Money is not everything here." He was so realistic.

Well, he is right.
We decided to have a nice home dinner. Everybody had to stand the hunger and help the preparation. But we successfully made chicken satay, fried tofu, green salad. Nicely arranged dining table. Using the special plate and goblet you usually use to serve the guest. With the kids noisy stories and spilt water.
It was special. As almost every night we eat out.

Honey, you are the best thing ever happened in my life.

Tokyo Bay Cruise

Since we had to cancel the trip on New Year holiday, we had to make it up for the kids some in-town outing.
Raisa and Ken insisted on riding the ferry cruising around Tokyo Bay.
Onboard at the port of the new water front shopping mall: Toyosu Lalaport.

The trip was worth it. Kids had a blast. Route was good passing the famous points: Tokyo Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, "Kirin" port, in 50 minutes cruise. It was not crowdeed (240 people capacity ship, only about 20 passenger on board) as everyone was in the crowdeed somewhere in ski resort, Hawaii or Bali...
That, in the reasonable price of 900 yen (adult) half price for elementary student and up.
Recomended for a family outing...

Tokyo Toyosu Lalaport: http://toyosu.lalaport.jp
Another port for Tokyo Bay cruise: Odaiba, Hinode, Asakusa (with river cruise) see detail: http://www.suijobus.co.jp/

Black Thumb

Ask me to do anything, from handling complex customer projects, walking the impossible tight schedule, until challenging new craft skill or recipe.
But don't ask me to do one thing. Don't ask me to keep a pet or plant. In short, don't ask me to keep a living thing.
I broke my heart again and again witnessing the living thing died on my hand.
Y thought it was a good idea to present me the cute green on a pot (don't ask me the name!) on my house-warming party some three years ago. It is believed, presenting a plant in a pot is a good symbol for the new house to make the owner "rooting" in that house. I tried my best to water the plant, put it under the UV sun, all according to the instruction. But after two months, it became a history.
Nelly thought it was a brilliant idea to present me three cute gold fishes in a tiny aquarium, completed with all the necessary gadget like air pump, cleaner, etc, three years ago. I fed the fish regularly, I even sang some song for them. But look what they did to me. One by one, they left me... all in less than a week.
I still remember our two rabbit pets, eight years ago. Max and Snowy. Max ran away when I let him play outside at our backyard. Never came back. Snowy didn't want to eat anything since I trimmed her sharp long nails which hurt my skin. Snowy survived only four days since the day she started the hunger strike. I still remember everyday those days I couldn't concentrate to work, I went home with the heavy heart like I just committed a murder.

And last week, with big smile C handed me the beautiful green on the pot with beautiful big ribbon knot. My birthday present. She said, this type of plant is the easiest to care. Even a small kid can care this one. No need to worry, just water once in a month (it's cactus family) or if I put outside, it should be OK with the raindrops only.
I know I should be happy. But... am no green thumb. Not at all.

I even still wonder how my kids survive with me....

Tripped

"How did it happened?" I asked her while looking disbelief to A's both swollen bandage wrapped ankles. She walked slowly toward me, pulled a chair and sit to discuss a task I asked her to do. It is not her, she is a super active secretary, never sit, always move fast.

"I fell down the stairs. I was running to catch the train and I trip off on a step and fell off all the way down the stairs from the top."

"Oh my God, are you OK now? You should take a sick leave! "

" I am much much better now it's been a week, I can't stay home and do nothing.  I can walk. When it just happened, I hardly stand but managed it anyway but the next day, I can't walk."

" You were with your friends at that time?"

" I was alone. The sad thing is, when it happened, nobody helped me. Not even to stand up."

" What? Were there people at the station? What's wrong with people! What station?" I feel so sad for her.

" A lot of people, but everybody was in hurry to catch the train. Someone just asked me if I am OK but then just run for the train. It is Tsudanuma station."

By now, I feel bad. Tsudanuma is the next station to my station. A ten minutes drive from my home.

" You should call me... you know where I live."
Not only she knows where I live, she went to my home. She's been working with me for years, she support me in daily basis. Beside, we are friends.

" Well... I don't wanna disturb you in your holiday. Something like this not for your holiday agenda. You must be relaxing with your family..."

" So what? You tripped down the stairs and injured your both ankles for God sake..."

" I don't know I just don't want to disturb... my mother brought me to emergency hospital the next day. But as it is new year holiday, they don't have specialist for this and refer me to a clinic in Makuharihongo. I went to that clinic alone as my mother can't make it..."

By this time I feel so bad as that clinic she mentioned, is in my neighborhood and five minutes walk away from home. She should not be alone, not in that condition.

" A, listen. I hope this kind of thing never ever happen again. But if it happened, I want you to call me. Do not hesitate. That is what friends are for. Friend is the one who is there when you are in need. Friend is not the one who spend the happy time drinking in bar after work, but the one who is with you in your difficult time. Please take this. I know there are some culture differences here, but please, never feel hesitate to call me for help. OK ?"

That nobody helped her to stand in the station perhaps just a bad luck situation in the middle of hundreds people try to flee for their last minutes year-end business.
But not to ask help from someone due to the hesitation to disturb that someone (no matter how close that one is, say, like your own mother) is a kind of culture Japanese has that still difficult for me to understand.

Here we go again...

After nine days of almost internet-free life, here I am again.

Surprisingly it was good to do just nothing. Plan was cancelled as my never sick dear husband got 39.4C fever, first time in nine years. After a full-time wife and mother role, a big house cleaning, several short touristy trips within Tokyo and fifteen rented DVD, the holiday is over.

Yoko, my very good super friend (she is a banker, ski instructor, swimming coach, pianist, sopranos, and a mother of two) introduced me to this flower things. She joint a flower arrangement school (she never enough!) and everytime I came visit her house, she told me this stuff,  theory, the book and so. So last month when I needed to get a big standing arrangement for the opening of hubby's and friends' international kindergarden, I found out it costed around 18,000 yen at nearby florist, so I took the challenge.... and here you go. My first arrangement to bright up the start of the year..

AKEMASHITE OMEDETOU GOZAIMASU !
HAPPY NEW YEAR !
May 2008 will be at your side, happy in and out, in all aspect of life.

   

Am I alone?

I know there are many parents like me and hubby whose one of the parenting policy is not to give many electronic device to the kids, specially when they are too young. Limited TV view. More physical traditional game, book, natural activities. No cell phone, no portable game device (like PS, Nitendo DS and the alike), not when you are still an elementary school student.

Raisa has been asking me hundreds time when she can get her DS. She said, she is now seven and many of her friends have it. She tried to promote the device is not for playing only, but has many other more educative function like dictionary, diary, book reader, etc. No wonder, Japan is the fertile land for this Tech industry. I know many house wife who keep their DS handy for source of recipe, hint and tips, accountant and many other function.
But I stand firmed in my policy for Raisa: not until you are bigger.
When is "bigger", she asked.
That will be judged later base on your behavior. When I think you are ready, I will buy you. So show me some responsibility, I answered.

In Jakarta, many of kids known to me, as young as five, have the hand phone and I can say addicted to Play Station. I dislike it.
They are tends to concentrate toward the screen only, move less, lazy (body and brain) and get fatter. When I went for holiday in Indonesia last year, Raisa was the "left behind kid" for not knowing how to play the this and that PS game among Indonesians kids.

Some months ago, when Raisa just at the first month at first grade. She forgot that after school she should go straight to the Kids Room (the after school day care for kids with working parents). Instead, she went to one of her friends house, without telling anyone. I ended left the office, drove around the school and parks searched for Raisa after the Kids Room's teacher called me for Raisa's no show. We found Raisa at the end, tracking the home of her best friend. When I told this story to neighbor, she said, "You didn't give her a cell phone? Many kids has it nowadays. It is for safety."

Times like that leave me in contemplation. But so far I still stand toward the no device until later.
Am I too old style? I don't know if I stand against this super wave of modernization. Specially in this country? I don't know if this is the best. Raisa might be the minority among the friends in this case. When is the right time to let the IT attack start to flow into my kids? But for now I still feel it is the right thing to delay.

Am I alone? Mommies, please share your experience/view...

Evaluation

Oh it's the end of the year again... Well, before thinking the coming year's resolution, I should revisit my 2007's list and see where is my position in those set targets. So here is the list I wrote earlier this year with the status.
Green - Achieved
Amber - Progressing
Red - Oh no!
(too much projects made me habitual of color-coding...hihi..)

- Reduce 3000grams of weight and live a healthy life. For the third time I got this never achieved resolution but am not giving up. And hey, I lost 2kg in Dec 2006 only...(hihi try to sprint at the end before the finish line...but not even a single ounce the other months). Cut goreng-gorengan. More visit to the Gym.
Status: Green
Alhamdulillah I am doing good at this, at last. Despite some 1-2kg yoyo up and down, if I compare my weight on Dec 1st 2006 and Dec 1st 2007, I've lost 6,5kg. Thanks to this and this.

- Increase spiritual side. Pray regularly and talk to Allah more, empathy.
Status:Amber
Can't say succeed, but I've been trying. Still far from what I should, need to carry this one to next year (and rest of my life).

- Be more supportive, patient, mature, romantic spouse to dear hubby. 2006 was not a great year for him, and sometime I was so stupid to be so carried away in emotion.
Status:Green
I think I did it well in this part. I am satisfied and feel blessed with the stage of relationship I have with dear hubby. I amazed myself by being so patient, accepted, mature, gosh.. I've grown to the level I never think I could. That matter which had put him at the rock bottom rather make us closer and stronger. Kanye West was right; what ever doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.

- Spend more time with kids. Reduce yelling. Answer all of Raisa question, no matter what, how many times and when.
Status:Amber
Spend more time: I've tried but need more. Not in the level that I wanted to be, yet.
Reduce yelling: Alhamdulillah.
Answer those never-ending question: As much as I could, yes I did.

- Reduce teleconferences at night time. Be more firmed and selective to attend the project calls that numbers keep on growing almost eat up all of my weekday night. Delegate more.
Status:Red
Status RED for this one... I delegated, put more trust to my team. But the more I managed to get away with a project, the more others to come....

- Reduce TV watching. Cut Nip/Tuck, House. Desperate House Wife and American Idol Season 6 only are enough.
Status:Amber
Nip/Tuck, Idol are gone. But am involved with Prison Break, You think you can Dance and the desperadoes ladies though... well I think somewhat this just a balance act, entertainment side of the hectic life? I am not a TV addict...not at all...

- Make Raisa able to read and write English.
Status: Greenish Amber
Phonics is part of our life now. Raisa is good with read and write Japanese but we are working with English... progressing but I want to speed this more in 2008.

- Control spending.
Status:Amber
Better than last year, but further is needed. This year passed without a single purchase of branded bag (that's to celebrate!), many, many things I had in my hand was dropped after the second thought just a step a way from the cashier (good that I think twice). Still need to control with online shopping though...

- Reduce visit to the shopping mall, increase to the nature side.
Status: Green
Somewhat...yeah. Bought bicycle this year, so I had lot's of Mommy and girls hang-out on the paddle at neighborhood area instead of the mall we used to do...

- Maintain good friendship with friends and contact those whose long not in touch: Amfi, Viviet, Uzma, Alan.
Status:Red
Still need to work on this. I haven't made attempt to contact them other than greetings card...

- Make time for hobbies: reading, photography and scrapbooking which long has never been done.
Status:Red
How I miss my camera and cropping activities. Have to set a real schedule on this.

- Watch and improve my languages skill. Specially grammar as my hubby lately complain about me.
Status:Amber
I've been speaking slower to ensure I don't get trapped in "my-brain-think-much-faster-but-tongue-can't-get-cope-with-it" situation. But I believe language goes with personality, the  more mature you are, the better you speak. For English I am progressing, I believe. Japanese, still need lots of work.
Bahasa Indonesia, need a lots of work...not using it daily, rather only weekly (for some hours IF meet Indonesian friends),  really deteriorate my ability... I am far from "bahasa gaul" and at times feel difficulty to find the right verb to use in my sentence.

Hai Feng Long Hao - Fusion in Action

For the fusion lover, this gonna be a good stop for you. Hai Feng Long Hao called themselves as "Chinese Asian Mix Restaurant". I went for a quick lunch last week and attracted by their Chinese Avocado Scallop Pie lunch set on the entrance board. The short lunch ended deep at heart. East meet West in all matter. The selection on the menu, the really western portion and decoration, the rich Asian spice that didn't leave an eternal garlic taste on your tongue.
From traditional dim sum selection, Asian best (Thai roll, Fo, Chilly Shrimp, etc) until super fusion selection prepares by the four chef in the open kitchen at the center of the room. Price set at a reasonable reach, thousand to two thousand yen for lunch set and selection of three thousand yen and up for dinner.
Service was OK and super quick. It took less than five minutes to get my super-sized, well decorated, tempted, delicious lunch plate came with abundance size of green salad on the table.
Should visit for dinner to be able to put great restaurant label to this one. But for now, I am happy with my lunch experience.
Hai Feng Long Hao located at 3rd Floor Lalaport Toyosu, take a window seat for the Tokyo Bay's view.

Food: ****
Place: ***
Service: ***
Money Value: ****

Photo credit: r.gnavi.co.jp

 

Kitchen Tips #1

Hooray for Japanese TV programs for always sharing the practical tips for live. In this busy-compact-all-do-it-by-yourself's life, this exactly what's needed.
So I thought I want to share some tips I saw last weekend so it can help the Kitchen Queens (or your assistant).

- How to get rid of all that tears while chopping onions?
Put the onion (as it is, no need to peel) in Microwave for ten seconds. Taste & texture remain the same, and voila! the onion will not make you cry.

- How to make the brownish (oxidized) peeled apple back to fresh apple color again?
Deep that brownish apple in 100% orange juice for 5-10 minutes and the brown color will just disappear. This will work with another high Vitamin C liquid like lemon/citrus juice.

...and if you have some tips too, don't keep it for yourself, please...