Saturday, January 13, 2007
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Friday, January 05, 2007
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Happy New Year!
Looking through the organizer, major events occurred during the year 2006 are: grand father passed away in Feb, Masa hospitalized, grand mother of my mother's end had cerebral infarct and partial paralysis on her light side, went to Nagasaki/Saga/Iki during the golden week, count down for Ton chan started, then we have her now. It doesn't look much of a busy year listing these events, but surely time flies. Ton chan's 4th week starts from today, the new years day. She shows progress on little things, which amazes me.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Hello baby
She was born after 4 days of contraction. My tiny little girl I finally met after 10 months of pregnancy.
She can't see clearly yet but surely recognizes you as a same kind by facial profile. She looks she's focusing on you but you can't tell. Wonder what her eyes will catch in her future. Wonder what she'd focus on the things, good and bad, which would arise in her future. We can merely give her opportunities to see things, but it'd be her to chose what to seek.
Monday, December 04, 2006
HOME COOKING
Mama tried a new recipe, mushroom rice, she found on Elizabeth Andoh's website, "Taste of Culture"
It came out very good!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
GREEN SANTA
Took a walk to Azabu Juban and Roppongi Hills with Barbara Mama. Roppongi Hills had this giant Green Santa Clause Lego.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
OISHI!
Jen found a sake tasts like UNI at sake tasting event last week, and found it at a local supermarket. 加賀鳶 純米大吟醸 極上原酒
See Ted's happy face!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Dinner with Jen and Ted
Thursday, October 26, 2006
あわぜんざい
Walked around Kagurazaka with Jen. Had Nikuman at Gojuban for lunch, then desert at Kinozen. It's millet with sweet bean paste.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Gyoza Dinner
Jen wanted Gyoza, and we went to Tenten in Azabu Juban. She's happy with gyoza and beer!
BD GIFT
Got two packages from Myron Papa - one for my BD (a pair of red glove) and Baby Bjorn's Baby Sitter.
Thank you, Myron Papa!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Super baby
Watched an interesting documentary last night. It was about baby's growth with a focus on its brain. It's fairly common that baby can listen any language up to about age 3, but will lose the capability of telling differences of the sound, for example, L and R between English and Japanese.
They had a case of monitoring the brain function of 1 month old baby with foreign language. The brain showed the reaction to the sound, off course it doesn't mean the baby can understand the language, but is paying attention, recognizing the sound as an important signal. They had a same test with other aged baby, and such function disappears around the age of 1.
Also they had research related to foreign language learning process, how baby from English only speaking family react to Chinese language, conducted by a professor at Washington University. They played the video with a woman speaks Chinese with some toys for 15 min everyday for two weeks, and monitored how much the baby react to Chinese. You would think they'd show some interests or reacts, but the percentage of recognition was almost same as the one with the baby with no such Chinese video lessons at all. Then, they brought in the same woman on the video face to face with the baby, speaking the same language with the same toy just like the video. This case worked a lot better than just playing the video, about 20% of recognition rate went up. It shows interaction is the key to the language learning process.
Neuroscientist says the number of synapse hits its peak between 9th month to 11th month. That's around the age the baby learns the necessary information to live, one of which is language. Also they had the case of mouse test, that the synapses of 3 months old mouse decreased 40% as the day goes by, but 30% of new synapses were created meanwhile. Brain chooses what's vital, and unnecessary parts disappear and replaced with the other vital information.
Baby is born with full capability to fit to the society, gathering information through the interaction. Brain controls the action by will and choice. It's a well designed program, amazing.
They had a case of monitoring the brain function of 1 month old baby with foreign language. The brain showed the reaction to the sound, off course it doesn't mean the baby can understand the language, but is paying attention, recognizing the sound as an important signal. They had a same test with other aged baby, and such function disappears around the age of 1.
Also they had research related to foreign language learning process, how baby from English only speaking family react to Chinese language, conducted by a professor at Washington University. They played the video with a woman speaks Chinese with some toys for 15 min everyday for two weeks, and monitored how much the baby react to Chinese. You would think they'd show some interests or reacts, but the percentage of recognition was almost same as the one with the baby with no such Chinese video lessons at all. Then, they brought in the same woman on the video face to face with the baby, speaking the same language with the same toy just like the video. This case worked a lot better than just playing the video, about 20% of recognition rate went up. It shows interaction is the key to the language learning process.
Neuroscientist says the number of synapse hits its peak between 9th month to 11th month. That's around the age the baby learns the necessary information to live, one of which is language. Also they had the case of mouse test, that the synapses of 3 months old mouse decreased 40% as the day goes by, but 30% of new synapses were created meanwhile. Brain chooses what's vital, and unnecessary parts disappear and replaced with the other vital information.
Baby is born with full capability to fit to the society, gathering information through the interaction. Brain controls the action by will and choice. It's a well designed program, amazing.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Kabuki
Got an invitation for free Kabuki ticket from Miho, and went to Kabuki za in Ginza to see the show at 16:30.
We left after a show, then realized we could have seen the second show too....
Had some fish dinner with her, as she has less chance of having great fish dishes in Boston.
Great surprising birthday event for the evening.
We left after a show, then realized we could have seen the second show too....
Had some fish dinner with her, as she has less chance of having great fish dishes in Boston.
Great surprising birthday event for the evening.
FREE BREAD!
Organic store opened in the neighbor today, and they had a offering of free bread of 300. Why not. Went 5 min before the opening, but saw a line of about 50 people waiting in the outside. The power of FREE stuff.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Baby underwear
Spent an entire day sewing this made of the belt clothe I got from Suitengu. Minor mistakes, but baby won't care....?
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
焼きおにぎり
After renewal of my drivers license, went over to Mukawa (actually, now Ishihara) household. Ordered sandwiches for lunch and here's a grilled rice ball for Milli. She was baning her forehead quite often while playing with her toys, but never cried. If adults stay calm and don't make it such a big deal, they keep going without crying.
Her way of raising a child really gives me a courage in every direction.
Got some used stuff and a gift from Ishihbara dad from Germany, left before the evening rush started. And I noticed, not many people give me a seat to pregnancies on the train, even though they're in the priority seats, even though I beam them... they simply ignore my existence.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
メロンパン
Went to the antique market in Yurakucho International Forum. They had melon bread van opened and we had one for snack. Nothing really calling so we moved on to Bic Camera, purchased electric shaver for the man. Had lunch at Muji café, bought some clothes and sofa cover. Break at THE Starbucks we exchanged our marriage rings back then, then went back home.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Finally!!
Last day in the office. My boss tried to surprised me by gathering around the all staff (which I really hate those kind of get-together-and-say-farewell-although-I-don’t-think-we’ll-see-again), and this is what I got. I don’t know what to do with this one, but just gave faint smile to everyone, wishing this would be over soon…. I’m so bitter….
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
なると
Went to Hokkaido fair in Shinjuku Isetan, and got THE fried chicken at Wakadori Naruto from Otaru. We've been to this place when we traveled to Hokkaido last year. Ohhhh, it tastes SO Good!!
Sunday, September 03, 2006
カボチャソフト
While waiting for THE fried chicken, had pumpkin ice cream with seed sprinkled over it. Sugar for my blood!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Sunday, August 20, 2006
PRACTICING
PARTICIPANT DAISUKE
Kobayashi family came over. R was practicing feeding bottled milk and how to ease a baby, with a help and patience by Daisuke.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
ジャーン
Inside of it were: Juicy (rice with veggie and pork bits), black rice, fried bitter melon, fu-iri-chi, gobo chikuwa, so-ki (pork lib), purple sweet potato, and green with sesame seed. Was pretty a lot we couldn't finish.
母娘弁当
Instead of buying Tofuyo, my favorite fermented Tofu in Awamori (Okinwan liquor), bought this lunch box for our dinner.
きしもと食堂
沖縄すば！
Went to Shinjuku Isetan to check out Okinawa Fes. Had some pork products, dragon fruit juice, and this Oknawa Suba after we waited in line for about 15 min. It was gooood!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Peach & Pa
Met up with Peach & Stevie, after shopping in Omotesando with Z. They're busy preparing for their wedding in Nov. We're so glad Peach is commited to look after Stevie!!
DUDE!
Walking around Harajuku with Z, found this sign board and immediately reminded me of Stevie and Joel.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
LUNCH
Had lunch in Ginza with my man and mother. She ordered Soba Zushi - sushi made with soba instead of rice.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
kick
Hiroko woke up at two in the morning suddenly. She was kicked. However, it wasn't the usual kicking suspect, but was in fact Tonchan giving her a nice kick from the inside.
Instead of being excited at this new development, though, she was just tired and didn't like her abdominal muscles being stretched and now kicked from the inside!
Instead of being excited at this new development, though, she was just tired and didn't like her abdominal muscles being stretched and now kicked from the inside!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Sushi Yohei
Went to Nishi Ojima with Jen and Renfield to check out the sushi place that I've been wanting to go to. It serves Edomae Sushi, but nothing is raw.
The meal started with entree: Zuke Maguro (marinade tuna), abalone and its liver, pate of horse mackerel and liver of sole fish, squid, and shrimp head. Pate was awesome. You might can't imagine the combination of head meat of horse mackerel and liver or sole fish, boiled with water and garlic to mix together, then cooled to be a pate. Too bad I couldn't drink, it was a perfect accompaniment for sake!
After wooing-ahhing of entree, the master started making sushi. Zuke Maguro (marinade tuna), marbled sole marinade in sweet vinegar, marbled sole marinade in sesame oil and soy sauce, with a spice of mater's bad jokes here and there, red squid, marinade and lightly grilled horse mackerel, squid lightly cooked in soy sauce, giant clam, shrimp, Sayori (Japanese needlefish) marinade in sweet vinegar with sweet shrimp crumb underneath (awesome!), lightly grilled Ayu (sweet fish), by now Jen's mind is swept by the delicacy of sushi, forgot a few shots of sushi photos, red squid with sweet soy sauce on top, marinade and lightly grilled sardine, clam cooked in sweet soy sauce, conger eel with sweet soy sauce on top (melts in your mouth!), and fried egg with grated scallop eyes mixed. We were stuffed!
The distinction of his sushi is that each peace is designed to be completed. The blend of neta (fish on top of rice) and rice perfectly matches to make one. Ordinary sushi is rather easy to imagine its taste: it's a fish on top of rice. As long as the fish is good, it should taste good. So, some people might be disappointed by the difference of his sushi and regular sushi that we believe what it is.
It wasn't a happy night despite of the wonderful meat we had; Renfield got sick on the way back....
The meal started with entree: Zuke Maguro (marinade tuna), abalone and its liver, pate of horse mackerel and liver of sole fish, squid, and shrimp head. Pate was awesome. You might can't imagine the combination of head meat of horse mackerel and liver or sole fish, boiled with water and garlic to mix together, then cooled to be a pate. Too bad I couldn't drink, it was a perfect accompaniment for sake!
After wooing-ahhing of entree, the master started making sushi. Zuke Maguro (marinade tuna), marbled sole marinade in sweet vinegar, marbled sole marinade in sesame oil and soy sauce, with a spice of mater's bad jokes here and there, red squid, marinade and lightly grilled horse mackerel, squid lightly cooked in soy sauce, giant clam, shrimp, Sayori (Japanese needlefish) marinade in sweet vinegar with sweet shrimp crumb underneath (awesome!), lightly grilled Ayu (sweet fish), by now Jen's mind is swept by the delicacy of sushi, forgot a few shots of sushi photos, red squid with sweet soy sauce on top, marinade and lightly grilled sardine, clam cooked in sweet soy sauce, conger eel with sweet soy sauce on top (melts in your mouth!), and fried egg with grated scallop eyes mixed. We were stuffed!
The distinction of his sushi is that each peace is designed to be completed. The blend of neta (fish on top of rice) and rice perfectly matches to make one. Ordinary sushi is rather easy to imagine its taste: it's a fish on top of rice. As long as the fish is good, it should taste good. So, some people might be disappointed by the difference of his sushi and regular sushi that we believe what it is.
It wasn't a happy night despite of the wonderful meat we had; Renfield got sick on the way back....
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Friday, June 02, 2006
Monja
Went out with Jen for dinner at Komugi, a Okonomi yaki restaurant in the neighborhood. Filled ourselves with Okonomiyaki and Monja. Although she had a small blood blister on her toe, she was happy with her Yuzu Sour Shochu.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Commuting Bus
Crowded commuting bus in a hot and humid morning. One of those so called "mentally challenged" people who suddenly bursts out, sings, mumbles, regardless of the surroundings but, assuming, be in one's own world which is far, far beyond our understandings. Repeating the same phrase over and over and over in the crowded bus.
Next to it, a mother with a daughter of age 4 to 5, with picture cards, trying to teach her how to count. Mother's voice was loud, not sure if she was aware of the tone, maybe competing with the "special" one's shout, or was devoted to teach her daughter intensely. But it somehow didn't look heartwarming scene at all. Mother's voice sounded so tired, just like a machine repeating. Not pleasant at all.
"How many apples do you see?" "Three." "Which is larger, 6 or 4?" "Six." Behind the dialogue, the "special" one shouts whatever doesn't make sense to no one but himself.
No other conversations were heard on the bus, even though it was packed.
It's just insane. Drive me nuts. Get me out here.
Was not a great beginning of my morning, but it was only a dawn of my miserable day...
Next to it, a mother with a daughter of age 4 to 5, with picture cards, trying to teach her how to count. Mother's voice was loud, not sure if she was aware of the tone, maybe competing with the "special" one's shout, or was devoted to teach her daughter intensely. But it somehow didn't look heartwarming scene at all. Mother's voice sounded so tired, just like a machine repeating. Not pleasant at all.
"How many apples do you see?" "Three." "Which is larger, 6 or 4?" "Six." Behind the dialogue, the "special" one shouts whatever doesn't make sense to no one but himself.
No other conversations were heard on the bus, even though it was packed.
It's just insane. Drive me nuts. Get me out here.
Was not a great beginning of my morning, but it was only a dawn of my miserable day...
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
あき&はるか
Haruka came to town for her visa at US embassy. Went out dinner with her and Aki at Turkish restaurant in Shibuya.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
IKEA
Went to IKEA in Minami Funabashi with my mother on Sun. Crowded with family with kids, super cheap stuff. Dangerous...
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Karatsu
Sky was gray and windy this morning, we borrowed umbrellas from Yoyokaku, and head to the famous Karatsu castle, so called Maizurujo (dancing crain castle). It had elevator (is it a trend these days? Good for elders/challenged people for sure) up to the top of the castle at 100 yen. Took a look around inside of the castle, with some swords that Renfield was keenly taking photos.
Rain started, and we walked around the city, hit Hikiyama Museum that exhibits (actually, it's a storage in show case style) the carts used in the Karatsu Kunchi Festival. Most of these are made late Edo era, more than 150 years old, made with many layers of papers and Japanese lacquers, and still used at the festival every year.
Kept walking toward the station, we had lunch at arcade, and checked out some pottery stores of Karatsu Yaki. Purchased very simple 2 sake cups.
Returned to Yoyokaku, hit bath before the dinner of Shabushabu of Saga beef for the night. Delicious!
Rain started, and we walked around the city, hit Hikiyama Museum that exhibits (actually, it's a storage in show case style) the carts used in the Karatsu Kunchi Festival. Most of these are made late Edo era, more than 150 years old, made with many layers of papers and Japanese lacquers, and still used at the festival every year.
Kept walking toward the station, we had lunch at arcade, and checked out some pottery stores of Karatsu Yaki. Purchased very simple 2 sake cups.
Returned to Yoyokaku, hit bath before the dinner of Shabushabu of Saga beef for the night. Delicious!
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