Hokkaido, Japan (Part I)

I was away in Sapporo, Japan with the spouse and two kids. Yes, in a way, helping them in small little ways to boost their economy. Like in the past few visits, we were again warmly welcomed. There is something very special about the Japanese, like what I told a fellow mama…

What did the Japanese do right? They are such a gracious lot. From every aspect of their life and being. They portray such beauty in their simplicity. They are in political and economic turmoil… yet, the people could carry on with their lives with no fear or anxieties. (At least, they didn't show it) 
At the airport, energy has to be conserved due to the crisis. Air-con was turned down, lights were dimmed. No one complained. When they felt hot, they just made use of fans that were placed at various places to fan themselves. These were not electric fans, they were manual fans, those that the satayman used to fan their satays while grilling them. Of course, in every country, there are the good and the bad. In general, the Japanese are really a class of her own.
 
Some people said that the triple crisis was retribution for the bad deeds the Japanese soldiers did during WW2. I think people with such thoughts are immatured.  If that was the case, what about the Asian tsunami in 2004 which killed more than 100,000 people across Asia. So what did they do to deserve that? What about the big Sichuan earthquake, Hurricane Katrina…the list could go on. Sometimes, it is best to go through a deep thinking process before making a statement.

Truly, when you  live, walk and eat among gracious people, you too feel and behave like one of them.

Welcome to the world of gracious people…


This was the ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) which was our home for one week. The Nakamuraya Ryokan


A little living area, followed by the bedroom. This is one of the biggest ryokan in Japan at the most reasonable rate


A mini tea ceremony to welcome us


Green tea with chocolate mochii! The kids enjoyed the fun but papa and mummy enjoyed the food!
Honestly, a visit to Japan is never complete without a stay in a ryokan with the traditional Japanese welcome.


Adult's breakfast, kid's breakfast. There were free flow of rice and miso soup. A rather unique way of eating breakfast. Travelling is often about experiencing new things.



This is an old warehouse converted to a shopping mall…


The Sapporo factory (shopping mall). It is amazing how they blend the new and the old without destroying the old.

This is the Sapporo city and the Sapporo JR station. Always stay within walking distance to any JR station. You will never go wrong, trust me!

The Hokkaido cows, producing the best Hokkaido milk and cheese

The Asahiyama Zoo. Look at the awesome view from the entrance of the zoo. I don't mind staying at this zoo!

The kids called this the white afro bird. Now, how often do you get to see goats locking horns.

A seal and an ugly octopus. Don't you think it looks like that ugly monster in Star Wars….hmm what its name?

Every move you make, I am watching you…

That's Kai standing side by side with the "bear". Those horns are not light. It is amazing how deers could run so fast with them stuck on their head.

God created them that way. Light wise, our burden will never be heavy if we entrust them to God.

Ever wonder why they are called Japanese crane? Kai thinks it's because of the red patch on their head. I do agree

What's this little thing trying to do?  The giraffe was that close to us. It was not zoomed in. Only in Japan, animals can get so close to humans.

My favourite bird. It would have been a great shot without the cage.

Another angle from the zoo. Such magnificent sight, I honestly wouldn't mind picking up poo at the zoo.

Life

I was away on vacation with my family when an sms was received. An old friend has just passed away. He was an old friend not because he was old in age, in fact, he was probably only in his late 50s or early 60s. We have known him in church since our teenage years. He was the kind of person, either you loved him very much or you don't. To me, he was a very passionate man, his words, his tone of voice were always sharp but was never rude or intimidating. So, you see, sometimes one could be extremely honest and direct but without hurting. In my life, I have seen and heard and read some words coming out from one's mouth that were honestly rude. "Ya, I am like that, so you can't take it, it's too bad!" Usually, for such person, it is best to keep the distance to keep the relationship *wink*

Let's just call this old friend of ours Mr C. The night before his death, Mr C spent some five hours over dinner, encouraging a friend  who was diagnosed with cancer. While encouraging his friend, he made the comment that if it was time for him to go, he would. After dinner, Mr C went home, and had a heart attack in the bath and he passed on. It was just like that, a snap of a finger, life came to an end.

Yes, I am all for speaking the truth, I am all for honest confrontation.....without being rude. Really, do you have to always put others down with your words, do you always must have the last say, do you always have to win in an argument?

And if you are on the receiving end...don't be too bothered with how others look at you. I live by this wisdom which I have come across during my school days...

"Keep what is worth keeping, what is not, let the wind blow them off." Afterall, life is short, LIVE and let LIVE!

The cry of a transient kid?

New house
New car
New people
New everything.
This is always how it will be.
New language
New country
New school.
How will I ever escape?
New room
New work
New plan.
I don't want to do this anymore.
New friends
New locker
New classes.
I hate always moving.
New books
New teachers
New street name.
I'm tired of lifting roots again and
again.
New desk
New uniform
New lesson.
When will it ever stop?
-by Taylor Reed

"They are used to it." A phrase which I often hear parents say about their kids who are always on the move. Really? Sometimes, the decision we made as parents, affect our kids so much. Is it too much to stop and just listen to that little voice?

Blended orange cake

There is this new craze in my mama's forum – blended orange cake! One mama tried and posted the recipe and a whole lot of us went to try it out.


I used two different methods – steaming (left) and baking (right)


Usually, a steamed cake is more moist. But this recipe is superb. Whether you steamed it or baked it, it is soft and moist!

I think my mum and sister are going to love this. They are cake and coffee type of people. Tasted especially good when chilled. It has a nice refreshing orange taste. (Read – HEALTHY!)

One dish meal
The spouse is out of town. It is just me and my two kids in our foster home. Yes, it is all part of the deal. Remember I blogged about it ions ago. Expat wife is not glam, glam. 90% of her life is revolved around three things – home, kids and herself. If you are game for it, when the offer comes, take it. I promise you, it will bring you to the next level of your life…Ommmph

So, where does one dish meal fit in? When you just have two smaller mouths to feed plus yourself, you don't go for elaborate meal. Simple but must be nutritious. Never compromise that. Thank God for chefs who come up with one dish meal! 


Prawns aglio olio

What better way to learn new pasta recipe other than from an Italian chef. I got the idea from chef Antonio_Carluccio. Of course, I have to modify. Can never compare the ingredients here and those from Italy. Using healthy brown spaghetti. Stir-fry some bacon with onions, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Pour in the al dente spaghetti and prawns, add some rocket pesto and dried basil. A dash of balsamic vinegar. Bon Appetites! Simple one dish meal *Burp*

Summer vacation

Day two of the summer vacation, what should I do with the kids? I read in a parent magazine that kids need schedule even for summer vacation. I sat the kids down and we started planning for it. Take away the one week which we will spent in Japan, we have another seven weeks to go…these are the things we have planned to do

Dance camp for Ann
Art camp for Kai and Ann
Swimming lessons, if not now then when? Summer is the only time to swim. Finally found an English-speaking coach for Ann
Chinese tuition once a week for 1 1/2hrs for Kai, just to stay in touch with Chinese
This is a good idea which I got from a fellow relocated mama – getting the kids to do a project on a topic which they are interested in. Kai chose the history of comics and Ann chose the history of houses. It is really interesting to note that such simple topic actually has tons of information behind it.

What did they do today?
 
"Tennis training". Like pro or not?


Then one got bored, took out his skateboard...


Then both got bored, decided to paint on their skateboards. Can you see Ann's skateboard?


There it is!

Ex-MD on FB

I have actually wanted to deactivate my FB because strange comments are being posted on my wall. Also, I told myself I have to live by example. If I do not want my kids to be glued to the laptop, I must show them that I do not. Living behind the great firewall is also sometimes difficult to access. But then, there are so many old friends popping up and some friends asking for prayer support are also posted on FB. Decided to just hang on to it but only respond when there is a need to.

Just found out that my ex-MD is also on FB. Surprise, surprise…she is a no-nonsense MD. Very task-oriented and goal driven but a very nice lady. Really surprise that she has time for FB…Or maybe she has an administrator. Hahaha

Childhood fun

If you belong to my era, you will know this. It was good fun for Kai and Ann to play something which mama used to play!

Kai's pottery

He didn't manage to finish this by the end of the school year.

So, I hope to bring it back to SG and asked his pottery teacher to help him finish it up

This one is beautiful. One of his rare serious works. I will use it as my mini milk jug.

You may see it if I invite you over for coffee and…quiche *wink*