Saturday, 19 March 2011
Plum tree
It was a beautiful morning! We went for a little walk in the warm spring sun.
I love spending this time of the year here in Japan.
Japanese plum tree:
Beautiful smell!
I hope the weather keeps improving so that we can see some cherry blossoms while we are here.
I love spending this time of the year here in Japan.
Japanese plum tree:
Beautiful smell!
I hope the weather keeps improving so that we can see some cherry blossoms while we are here.
Bumble bee on the tricycle
I love internet shopping. I order something at night and the very next day it arrives at the door!
I miss this efficiency of civil life...
It has been nice and spring like. We had some low 20 degree days the last few days. So I ordered this cool tricycle for Oliver online so that while we are here he can ride around the neighborhood.
There he goes!! Vroom Vroom!
Carefully watching where he goes.
My happy boy : )
I miss this efficiency of civil life...
It has been nice and spring like. We had some low 20 degree days the last few days. So I ordered this cool tricycle for Oliver online so that while we are here he can ride around the neighborhood.
There he goes!! Vroom Vroom!
Carefully watching where he goes.
My happy boy : )
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
School bus
Yuzuki goes to a local kindy 5 days a week. As my sister is at work she gets dropped off at mums after 4pm by this cool Doggy Bus! Oliver was certainly jealous of her!!
Waiting for the bus with Ah-chan (grandma)
Here comes the Doggy Bus!!
Yuzuki was happy Oliver was there to meet her : )
Waiting for the bus with Ah-chan (grandma)
Here comes the Doggy Bus!!
Yuzuki was happy Oliver was there to meet her : )
Eco bags
We went to a shopping mall on the weekend. The kids had enough of Mako (my sister) and I going into lots of shops and taking our time.
Then we came to this area where they had - "Let's make your own Eco Bag!" They were very excited to see something they can enjoy and wanted to try it. Yeah! Why not!
We carried on with our shopping while the kids worked on the bags.
Yuzuki working hard:
Runa:
Hinata:
He made a bag for Oliver! How sweet!!
It was a great way to keep the kids entertained while us adults spent some whining kids free time (Oliver was asleep in the buggy).
Then we came to this area where they had - "Let's make your own Eco Bag!" They were very excited to see something they can enjoy and wanted to try it. Yeah! Why not!
We carried on with our shopping while the kids worked on the bags.
Yuzuki working hard:
Runa:
Hinata:
He made a bag for Oliver! How sweet!!
It was a great way to keep the kids entertained while us adults spent some whining kids free time (Oliver was asleep in the buggy).
On the weekend
Even though we are sad thinking of the people up North, we had to carry on with our life (our holiday) here.
On Sundays Hinata has a tennis lesson so Oliver and I went along with him. Oliver had a go too.
It didn't go too far...
So he tried with a big ball instead. Yes he could hit it better : )
On Sundays Hinata has a tennis lesson so Oliver and I went along with him. Oliver had a go too.
It didn't go too far...
So he tried with a big ball instead. Yes he could hit it better : )
Sad week
As everyone in the world knows Japan had a very sad week. Last Friday the biggest earthquake Japan ever experienced hit the north part of Japan.
Mum had the afternoon off from work so I was at her place with Oliver, enjoying an afternoon snack and coffee. We were sort of watching TV. Then the earthquake report came on the screen. If you lived in Japan before you know we get these live reports quite often (Japan is an earthquake country - lying on many plates). But this time it said magnitude 8.8 (later they increased it to 9.0) which I have not seen before.
Actually we didn't feel anything where we were, so we were calm and were just checking the updates on the news.
Following the report they broadcasted tsunami warnings. They had three different categories, tsunami warning, tsunami evacuation order, and Huge tsunami evacuation order. And a wide area was covered with the latter warning.
Mum and I weren't sure if we needed to do anything as we were close to the area which got tsunami evacuation order (Wakayama prefecture) but nothing came through from the Osaka government so we decided to stay where we were. Meanwhile, incredible images came though.
The live images of tsunami destroying huge areas, swallowing the boats, houses, and cars and even people.
We just couldn't believe what we were watching. It felt like we were watching movies but it was REAL. And lasted so long.
I couldn't believe it was happening in the same country, we had coffee cups in our hands while people were washed away...
I didn't sleep much that night and spent the next few days just watching news on TV.
One of my good friends in Brunei is from the area hit badly with this tsunami. We were trying to locate her family since last week. Today we were told her parents and her brother's family are all well and safe!! I am so relieved and happy for her.
There are still so many people missing and as the world is watching we are still having trouble with the nuclear plants...
I keep updating myself with the news, but hopefully we can have a good holiday with our family here in Osaka somehow.
Thank you everyone for thinking of us, Oliver, I and my family are all safe.
Mum had the afternoon off from work so I was at her place with Oliver, enjoying an afternoon snack and coffee. We were sort of watching TV. Then the earthquake report came on the screen. If you lived in Japan before you know we get these live reports quite often (Japan is an earthquake country - lying on many plates). But this time it said magnitude 8.8 (later they increased it to 9.0) which I have not seen before.
Actually we didn't feel anything where we were, so we were calm and were just checking the updates on the news.
Following the report they broadcasted tsunami warnings. They had three different categories, tsunami warning, tsunami evacuation order, and Huge tsunami evacuation order. And a wide area was covered with the latter warning.
Mum and I weren't sure if we needed to do anything as we were close to the area which got tsunami evacuation order (Wakayama prefecture) but nothing came through from the Osaka government so we decided to stay where we were. Meanwhile, incredible images came though.
The live images of tsunami destroying huge areas, swallowing the boats, houses, and cars and even people.
We just couldn't believe what we were watching. It felt like we were watching movies but it was REAL. And lasted so long.
I couldn't believe it was happening in the same country, we had coffee cups in our hands while people were washed away...
I didn't sleep much that night and spent the next few days just watching news on TV.
One of my good friends in Brunei is from the area hit badly with this tsunami. We were trying to locate her family since last week. Today we were told her parents and her brother's family are all well and safe!! I am so relieved and happy for her.
There are still so many people missing and as the world is watching we are still having trouble with the nuclear plants...
I keep updating myself with the news, but hopefully we can have a good holiday with our family here in Osaka somehow.
Thank you everyone for thinking of us, Oliver, I and my family are all safe.
Friday, 11 March 2011
What a day!
I have done so many trips but boy what an eventful journey this was.
As we expected we had some trouble checking in at Brunei airport. Even though this was supposed to be a contract leave when we get confirmed (not standby) tickets. Well... of course the flight was full and we had to wait till the last minute - means our seats weren't confirmed : (
We had a 3 hour connection in Hong Kong. Usually I need to go though immigration, pick up all the bags, check in again etc etc. But this time as I had (supposed) confirmed tickets, I could just use the transit counter.
Guess what!? The lady at the counter told me Oliver's ticket is valid so she can issue his boarding pass no problem but mine was VOID! How strange. It took them almost 2 hours to fix the problem... which meant no relaxing time at the lounge, no browsing in the duty free shops. I just had to zoom around to pick up stuff for my sisters and rush to the gate.
At least we didn't miss the flight... Plus Oliver worked a charm, everyone was helpful as they thought he was a very cute GIRL!
So after two stressful check in experiences I was exhausted. Finally the plane took off and I was served some drinks. Thought I would have some peaceful time. No no no instead a nice family sitting next to us gave Oliver some chocolate (he has eaten chocolate only once before) and he decided not to like it. He didn't want it so much he threw it up as well as everything in his tummy too.
I had my brand new white pants on. They were covered by his chocolaty throw up... I had to get up again and go to the bathroom to clean myself.
By the time I got back to the seat, it was time for some dinner. Oliver didn't eat much for lunch and he just emptied his tummy. I was really hoping I could feed him somehow.
NO NO NO - half way though the meal a Japanese Uni student passed out beside me. Just fell down in the aisle and didn't move. He looked very very white. I was in shock... how many more things need to happy to us today?
The Japanese cabin crew was busy so she left him with English&Chinese speaking staff. He couldn't understand what she was saying - I was the only Japanese near him so I had to make sure he was feeling comfortable, not getting any worse etc.
(In the end I found out he passed out from one can of beer!!! So dumb!!!)
Finally the plane landed safely and taxied to the gate. I was so relieved (I gave my bassinet seat to the sick guy so was trapped in the very back of the plane) and there was an announcement from the captain "ah... we have a situation, there is another plane parked at the gate we are supposed to park at. So unless the plane pushes back and leaves we cannot get you out... extra 30min on the plane.
What a long day for us, but we made it to Osaka!
Happy Holidays : )
As we expected we had some trouble checking in at Brunei airport. Even though this was supposed to be a contract leave when we get confirmed (not standby) tickets. Well... of course the flight was full and we had to wait till the last minute - means our seats weren't confirmed : (
We had a 3 hour connection in Hong Kong. Usually I need to go though immigration, pick up all the bags, check in again etc etc. But this time as I had (supposed) confirmed tickets, I could just use the transit counter.
Guess what!? The lady at the counter told me Oliver's ticket is valid so she can issue his boarding pass no problem but mine was VOID! How strange. It took them almost 2 hours to fix the problem... which meant no relaxing time at the lounge, no browsing in the duty free shops. I just had to zoom around to pick up stuff for my sisters and rush to the gate.
At least we didn't miss the flight... Plus Oliver worked a charm, everyone was helpful as they thought he was a very cute GIRL!
So after two stressful check in experiences I was exhausted. Finally the plane took off and I was served some drinks. Thought I would have some peaceful time. No no no instead a nice family sitting next to us gave Oliver some chocolate (he has eaten chocolate only once before) and he decided not to like it. He didn't want it so much he threw it up as well as everything in his tummy too.
I had my brand new white pants on. They were covered by his chocolaty throw up... I had to get up again and go to the bathroom to clean myself.
By the time I got back to the seat, it was time for some dinner. Oliver didn't eat much for lunch and he just emptied his tummy. I was really hoping I could feed him somehow.
NO NO NO - half way though the meal a Japanese Uni student passed out beside me. Just fell down in the aisle and didn't move. He looked very very white. I was in shock... how many more things need to happy to us today?
The Japanese cabin crew was busy so she left him with English&Chinese speaking staff. He couldn't understand what she was saying - I was the only Japanese near him so I had to make sure he was feeling comfortable, not getting any worse etc.
(In the end I found out he passed out from one can of beer!!! So dumb!!!)
Finally the plane landed safely and taxied to the gate. I was so relieved (I gave my bassinet seat to the sick guy so was trapped in the very back of the plane) and there was an announcement from the captain "ah... we have a situation, there is another plane parked at the gate we are supposed to park at. So unless the plane pushes back and leaves we cannot get you out... extra 30min on the plane.
What a long day for us, but we made it to Osaka!
Happy Holidays : )
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Off to Japan!
Oliver and I are going on holiday without daddy for two weeks (sorry daddy, somebody has to work...). We are going to spend some time with the Japanese family and the main thing is to bring his cousin Hinata back with us.
It will be still bit chilly in Osaka but will be great to be back there again (we were there at the beginning of the year).
Nice food and shopping for me!
It will be still bit chilly in Osaka but will be great to be back there again (we were there at the beginning of the year).
Nice food and shopping for me!
Oliver's view
We had dinner at a Thai place last night. Oliver finished his meal early and decided to take some photos with my iphone.
Quite artistic don't you think?
Quite artistic don't you think?
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Eating is more fun!
With these gorgeous place mats!
Oliver received them from New Zealand the other day. They were made by Merryn (of course, who else can do this so neatly!?).
He loves looking at them while he waits for his meal to be ready :)
Happy eating!
Oliver received them from New Zealand the other day. They were made by Merryn (of course, who else can do this so neatly!?).
He loves looking at them while he waits for his meal to be ready :)
Happy eating!
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Evening walk
Oliver and I (unfortunately daddy was away working...) went to the Empire hotel this afternoon to celebrate one of our friends birthday. We were invited to join high tea which was just lovely, yummy cakes and live piano music in a luxurious hotel...
There were lots of kids there too. Oliver had a great time running around the roomy hotel lobby with his friends.
Afterwards we all went for a walk outside. It was such a perfect evening for it!
Kids gathered nicely for a photo shoot;
Nice sea breeze and a beautiful sunset, we are so lucky - we can have this without traveling to a beach resort.
There were lots of kids there too. Oliver had a great time running around the roomy hotel lobby with his friends.
Afterwards we all went for a walk outside. It was such a perfect evening for it!
Kids gathered nicely for a photo shoot;
Nice sea breeze and a beautiful sunset, we are so lucky - we can have this without traveling to a beach resort.
Amazing...
Yesterday Oliver's little friend Jasmine had a special 2nd birthday party.
I took my camera with me but having a very clingy little boy with me I could not take many photos to show you.
I only manage to get this one - the Gruffalo cake which Jasmine's mum Pippa made for the birthday girl!
Everyone was so impressed with how talented she was to bake such a gorgeous cake and of course it tasted very nice!
Oliver recognised it was The Gruffalo from the book and kept going back to see - wish I could get the expressions on his face on camera.
The kids had a ball playing on the bouncy castle, trampolines and just running around. Oliver was holding onto my leg half the time but when it got less crowded he started to wander around by himself - phew...
Another great birthday party - the pressure is on!
I took my camera with me but having a very clingy little boy with me I could not take many photos to show you.
I only manage to get this one - the Gruffalo cake which Jasmine's mum Pippa made for the birthday girl!
Everyone was so impressed with how talented she was to bake such a gorgeous cake and of course it tasted very nice!
Oliver recognised it was The Gruffalo from the book and kept going back to see - wish I could get the expressions on his face on camera.
The kids had a ball playing on the bouncy castle, trampolines and just running around. Oliver was holding onto my leg half the time but when it got less crowded he started to wander around by himself - phew...
Another great birthday party - the pressure is on!
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Two dogs
We have been working hard teaching Oliver WORDS, of course both English and Japanese. He knows lots of words now but has trouble putting them together.
But today he finally said TWO DOGS, two and dogs together! Yeah!
Oliver and I will be away in Japan for two weeks from next Friday. I am sure he will pick up lots more Japanese words once we get there. So exciting!
But today he finally said TWO DOGS, two and dogs together! Yeah!
Oliver and I will be away in Japan for two weeks from next Friday. I am sure he will pick up lots more Japanese words once we get there. So exciting!
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