Awakened By An Earthquake

I don’t remember setting an alarm for us to wake up at 3:54 AM (T_T)

Magnitude of 6.5, occured at 3:54 AM, tremors with intensity of 5+ in Iwaki.

The World Of Peter Rabbit Postal Stamp

Japan Post celebrates the spring season by the issuance of “Peter Rabbit” stamps commemorating the 40th anniversary since the book was published in Japan. This is one of my stamp collections that I let go because of a dear friend~ I wanted her to receive the stamp (plus goodies)from me. I hope I made her smile because of this ^_^

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a children’s book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter that follows mischievous and disobedient young Peter Rabbit as he is chased about the garden of Mr. McGregor. He escapes and returns home to his mother who puts him to bed after dosing him with camomile tea. The tale was written for five-year-old Noel Moore, son of Potter’s former governess Annie Carter Moore, in 1893. It was revised and privately printed by Potter in 1901 after several publishers’ rejections but was printed in a trade edition by Frederick Warne & Co. in 1902. The book was a success, and multiple reprints were issued in the years immediately following its debut. It has been translated into 36 languages[1] and with 45 million copies sold it is one of the best-selling books of all time.[2]

The book has generated considerable merchandise over the decades since its release for both children and adults with toys, dishes, foods, clothing, videos and other products made available. Potter was one of the first to be responsible for such merchandise when she patented a Peter Rabbit doll in 1903 and followed it almost immediately with a Peter Rabbit board game.

By making the hero of the tale a disobedient and rebellious little rabbit, Potter subverted her era’s definition of the good child and the literary hero genre which typically followed the adventures of a brave, resourceful, young white male. Peter Rabbit appeared as a character in a 1971 ballet film, and the tale has been adapted to an animated television series.

Sunday Stamps is a weekely Sunday meme hosted by Viridian, join us here ^_^

Long Hair No More

My new look for the summer ^_^

Zamboanga Vintas

A big thanks to Arlene of Travelling The World Thru Postcards for sending a colourful Muslim Vintas postcard of Zamboanga, Philippines! I know it’s a shame but I haven’t heard such a thing until I received this postcard. Thank you very much, Arlene!!

The vinta ( locally known as lepa-lepa or sakayan) is a traditional boat found in the Philippine island of Mindanao. These boats are made by Bajau and Moros lining in the Sulu Archipelago. It has a sail with assorted vertical colors that represents the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community. These boats are used for inter-island transport of people and goods. Zamboanga City is known for these vessels.

Postcard Perfect is a weekly Wednesday meme hosted by Mommy Willa

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Tohoku Matsuri Postal Stamps

Japan Post features the Tohoku Matsuri Postal Stamps which is a few of the Japan’s major summer festivals and the festivals draws many people to go out every summer. The Aomori’s Nebuta Matsuri, Akita’s Kanto Matsuri, Yamagata’s Hanagasa Matsuri and Sendai’s Tanabata Matsuri is known as Star Festival and we also have Tanabata Matsuri in Iwaki but Sendai is one of the biggest and popular.

Sunday Stamps is a weekely Sunday meme hosted by Viridian, join us here ^_^

Quezon Memorial Shrine

Received this beautiful postcard from Eros of Postcards Galore! with the awesome Beatification of Pope John Paul II stamp! I can’t remember for how long I haven’t visited this place but I remember me and my friends hanging around at the Quezon City Circle and Shrine during my stay in Manila. How nostalgic! Thank you so much, sistah Eros! The postcard brings back a happy and fun memories from the past ^_^

Beatification of Pope John Paul II stamp~ super like and oh so lucky!

Postcard Friendship Friday is a weekly Friday meme, hosted by The Best Hearts Are CrunchyPlease play with us by clicking the linky. ^_^

Royal Carribean Legend Of The Seas Omiyage

I just want to thank Mommy Seiko of Seiko’s Diary for the omiyage ( souvenir ) that she send me during the Carribean Legend Of The Seas Hongkong, China and Vietnam trip of her and her husband. I bet they had an enjoyable cruise!
Mommy Seiko, thank you very much for your time and effort of sending me an awesome omiyage and I just love the perfume! It’s sooo cute! ^_^ It was a wonderful treat to receive a such a generous omiyage from you!

Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts~ very yummy!

Royal Carribean Legen Of The Seas Postcard

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS!!

Join Pinay WAHM $800 Birthday Giveaway!

This is to support a 3 loving Mommy friends here at blogosphere whom will celebrate their birthdays on the same month and with that, they’re having a bonggang BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY to all!

THE SPONSORS

·Advocating Breastfeeding· The Oblepias Family Blog· Gowns and Heels· Nshima Servings ·transforMAYtion ·Pinay Mama · The Bloggers Journal · A Network of Entertainment · ZoWanderer · LEVYousa · {cherry} everyday · Dreamworld Traveler · Samut Sari Etsy Store ·Her and History · Beauty and Fashion Diva · Mye de Leon · I Embrace Life ·From Asia and Beyond ·Jared’s Little Corner · My Tots Exactly · Barbie Dress Up Games · Written by Mys · Hands Full of Life · The Life Encounters

THE MAIN

FIRST PRIZE – $230

$100 CASH

$90 WORTH OF GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM WAHMAHOLIC BLOG DESIGNS

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SECOND PRIZE – $175

$80 CASH

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THIRD PRIZE – $140

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5 CONSOLATION PRIZES – $45 EACH

$20 CASH + $25 WORTH OF .INFO DOMAIN & 1 YEAR HOSTING

FOR EACH OF THE FIVE (5) LUCKY WINNERS

EARLY BIRD PRIZES

1ST TO SUBMIT – $15 BLOG HEADER FROM WAHMAHOLIC BLOG DESIGNS

2ND TO SUBMIT- $10 CASH

3RD TO SUBMIT – $5 BLOG BUTTON FROM WAHMAHOLIC BLOG DESIGNS

What are you waiting for? Click the linky button for more info of the giveaway and join now! ^_^

Chestertown, Maryland Postcard

Thanks to The Bergenholtz’s of All Things Beautiful for sending me this wonderful postcard of Chester River. The Bergenholtz’s  is homeschooling their children and has interesting ways for their children to learn. Please feel free of visiting their site ^_^

Chester River

The Chester River is a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay on the Delmarva Peninsula. It is about 43 miles (69 km) long,[1] and its watershed encompasses 368 sq mi (950 km2), which includes 295 sq mi (760 km2) of land. Thus the total watershed area is 20% water. It forms the border between Kent County and Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, with its headwaters extending into New Castle County and Kent County, Delaware. Chestertown, the county seat of Kent County is located on its north shore. It is located south of the Sassafras River and north of Eastern Bay, and is connected with Eastern Bay through Kent Narrows.

source

Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

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Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs 2011

Here’s my pick for my Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs 2011:

1.Mom Writes – The author’s sunny disposition and interesting personality and life influenced my thoughts in some ways.
2.My Painted Lips – I drooled over the colourful lipsticks presented at her blog coz I only have a few supply in mine and she’s a supermom who knows how to take care of herself.
3.Mommy Survival Guide – When it comes to home management and when you’re looking for info, you’ve come to the right blog!
4.My Green Living Ideas – Wanna know on how to make our world a better place to live in? Her site says it all.
5.The Tottering Mama – She tickles my mother’s instinct.
6.Notepad Corner – An inspiration and I trully admire her parenting skills.
7.The Pepperrific Life – Thumbs up to this single mommy for raising her daughter, a very strong woman and such an inspiration to many.
8.Certified Foodies – Ever since I started joining food memes, Mhel and Ken’s blog is such a pleasure to visit!The foodies presented at their blog is ‘photogenic’and geez, I could almost taste the foods!
9.LEVYousa – I soo love the color of her blog, so nice to the eyes and yes, a very talented writer.
10.The Bloggers Journal – I’m so thankful of her blog for sharing her knowledge in blogging, technically. I would recommend her site for creating a very easy tutorials for a non-techie like me.

This writing project is made possible by the following: Cyber Monday Deals, TRIbeca Private Residences, How To Videos, Palawan Beaches for Sale, Green and Natural Lubes Philippines, Philippine data center, Philippine online shopping, Singapore Jobs, Pinoy Party Food,Apartment For Rent and Best Deals Tips.

For more information please visit Janette Toral’s 2011 Writing Project.

Girl’s Talk~Best Birthday Gift

My birthday of the year 2009 was the best birthday gift I have received at blogosphere. A lot of friends surprised me that day–Operation Smile made me a reason to smile even more and my tears were falling down with gladness, a touching music video, precious gifts and heart warming messages from friends I may have a few numbers of friends but all of them is soo dear to me and they touch my heart in a very special way. I’m very thankful to have friends like them! ^_^

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Estonian National Symbols

I received my first postcard from Postcrossing and it came from TK of Estonia! It travelled for 7,709 km in for days, it came with an envelope ^_^ She lives in Estonia, 4 km from Gulf of Finland, in a small mining town Kohtla-Järve and a nurse. I almost cried to read her message for me:

Thank you very much, TK! ^_^

National bird
The barn swallow, the national bird, is a characteristic guest of Estonian homes. Its call can be heard from practically every eave or barn rafter in the country. If the bird finds a suitable opening, under the ridge of a roof or a broken window, it will build its cup-shaped nest; it will even build it inside a house. The choice of the barn swallow as a national bird was mainly the result of a campaign conducted by ornithologists at the beginning of the sixties.

National flower
Blue cornflowerSee also: Cornflower
The campaign to choose a national flower was organized by The Estonian Wildlife Protection Society. The televised contest was carried out in 1967-68. The ornamental blue cornflower was the favourite. In choosing it, several considerations were taken into account: general popularity, decorative appearance, easy applicability as an artistic motif, and domestic origin.

The cornflower has grown on Estonian soil for more than 10,000 years, from the time when the first humans came to Northern Europe. The plant grows commonly in rye fields, creating a strong connection in the minds of Estonians between the flower and their daily bread. The blossoms of the cornflower have a particularly striking graphic appearance which has led to its use by artists for decorative purposes. The cornflower is also part of the young girls’ festive garland. It is possible that the cornflower was chosen as the national flower in 1968 for another important reason. People knew that the blue of the then forbidden Estonian flag was defined as “cornflower blue”. This made the cornflower a symbol of resistance in its own way. The Soviet authorities, in a move that is nowadays quite difficult to believe, responded by banning representations of the cornflower. Thus, at the 100th anniversary of the Estonian Song Festival (1969), all the cornflowers used as decorations were painted over with red and presented as “carnations”.

National stone
Estonian national stone is the country’s valuable grey limestone. Estonia lies on a thick layer of limestone which is visible on the steep banks of northern and western Estonia. Most castles, churches, farm buildings, and countless stone fences are made of limestone. Research on limestone and its well-preserved fossils has for centuries brought Estonian scientists international renown. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why numerous scientists supported the declaration of limestone as the national stone of Estonia.

Source

VIA VALTICA Stamps ( Parnu, Bauska and Kaunas )

Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

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Natural Stone Arch, Thailand Postcard

Thanks to Mommy Gene of Away From Home for giving me a glance of the unique natural beauty of the Natural Stone Arch at Khai Island in the Tarutao National Park in Satun Province, Thailand I fell in love with the place~ it looks like a wonderful place to visit and if given a chance, I wanna explore the beauty of the island. She also includes that couples pass through the natural arch for good luck, fulfillment of love, double happiness and house of many children and you’ll find lots of turtle laying eggs there.
Thank you for the friendship,Mommy Gene ^_^ ( Please click the image for a larger view, thanks)

Postcard Friendship Friday is a weekly Friday meme, hosted by The Best Hearts Are CrunchyPlease play with us by clicking the linky. ^_^

Girl’s Talk~ November 16 In History

It’s great to be back at Girl’s Talk again and I’m missin’ the meme and bloghopping as well. Now at Girl’s Talk we will be having fun of doing some research of our birthday history and I’m uber excited to know mine ^_^

” November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 45 days remaining until the end of the year “

 Events
534 – A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published.
1491 – An auto-da-fé, held in the Brasero de la Dehesa outside of Ávila, concludes the case of the Holy Child of La Guardia with the public execution of several Jewish and converso suspects.
1532 – Francisco Pizarro and his men capture Inca Emperor Atahualpa.
1852 – The English astronomer John Russell Hind discovers the asteroid 22 Kalliope
1945 – UNESCO is founded
2000 – Bill Clinton becomes the first U.S. President to visit Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War

Births
42 BC – Tiberius, Roman emperor (d. 37)
1436 – Leonardo Loredan, Doge of the Republic of Venice (d. 1521)
1603 – Augustyn Kordecki, Polish prior (d. 1673)
1717 – Jean le Rond d’Alembert, French mathematician (d. 1793)
1981 – Allison Crowe, Canadian singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist
1984 – Kimberly J. Brown, American actress

Deaths
1093 – Saint Margaret of Scotland, Hungarian-born queen-consort of King Malcolm III of Scotland (b. c. 1045)
1240 – Saint Edmund Rich, English Archbishop of Canterbury (b. c. 1175)
1328 – Prince Hisaaki, Japanese shogun (b. 1276)
1613 – Trajano Boccalini, Italian satirist (b. 1556)
1745 – James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde, Irish statesman and soldier (b. 1665)
1773 – John Hawkesworth, English writer
1995 – Jack Finney, American writer (b. 1911)

Holidays and Observances

Christian Feast Day:
Gertrude the Great (Roman Catholic church)
Lebuinus
Margaret of Scotland
Matthew the Evangelist (Eastern Christianity)
Saint Othmar
November 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Day of Declaration of Sovereignty (Estonia)
Day of Repentance and Prayer or Buß- und Bettag (the Protestant church bodies of Lutheran, Reformed (Calvinist) and United. A school holiday in Saxony and Bavaria)
Icelandic Language Day or Dagur íslenskrar tungu (Iceland)
International Day for Tolerance (International)
source

It was surprising that the famous person I’ve known to have the same birthdate with me is the basketball player Amare Stoudemir

Fun at  Poke My Birthday

11. January.1976, Sunday, ( your birthday -310 days):
On 11.January.1976, Sunday, your father has produced the semen that will be half of you soon.

He produced 1000 sperms every second of his life and you will be be lucky one out of 500 million sperm he sent on their way in the conceivement. You may find interesting to know that if he had drunk (or not drunk) coffee on this Sunday morning, you might born completely as someone else (for instance in the opposite sex) as kafein changes the speed of male sperms.
26.January.1976,Monday(Your birthday-295 days):
Today your mother ad her last menstrual cycle and started building up the egg, that will be the other half of you.

After today, she will not have this cycle again for a very long time (thanks to you!). She spent Monday as moody, anxious, short-tempered and you should be glad, you were not around her that day!
10.February.1976, Tuesday (Your birthday -280 days):
Your mother’s egg is ready to build the other half of you and your father and your mother got together to make you.

But there is still no “you” around so don’t get excited much. It can take several hours for your father’s sperm to reach your mother’s egg and now it is just on its way out.
11.February.1976, Wednesday (Your birthday -279 days):
Out of 500 million sperm on their way to your mother’s egg, the sperm which built you has won the race by coming first and the sperm and the egg is became one to make your very first cell. Do you see how lucky your half (the sperm) be by winning coming up first among 500 million other rivals? Never tell you are not lucky anymore!

We can call Wednesday, 11.February.1976 as your “first day alive” because this is when you are a living entity, an embryo, congratulations! Although you are just a 1 cell creature today your unique DNA is also formed so your future destiny like your sex, height, physical apperance, intelligence, characteristic and vulnability to certain dissesases is already been determined.

And here’s some interesting fact about my life:

Your lucky days are Tuesday (Conceivement date, Your parents decided to not to have an abortion, You were born) and Wednesday (Your first cell is built, Your mother suspects she is pregnant, Your heart beat for the first time).
You are exactly 34 years 34 weeks 2 days 20 hours 58 minutes 39 seconds old.

Girl’s Talk is a weekly Thursday meme hosted by Kaye

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Kingdom Of Cambodia

I would like to give thanks to Mommy Cheerful of Postcrossing Mom for sending me the Phnom Penh postcard and yes Cambodia is trully a Kingdom of Wonders! The multiview postcard featured the Independence Monument, National Museum, Wat Phnom, Royal Palace and Central Market. The history, the culture, the people~ it seems like they’re all a mystery to me and I guess I still have to study more about Cambodia ^_^

Phnom Penh 

Phnom Penh (Khmer: ភ្នំពេញ, pronounced [pʰnum peːɲ] in Khmer and /pəˈnɒm ˈpɛn/ or /ˈnɒm ˈpɛn/ in English[2]) is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation’s center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security, politics, economics, cultural heritage, and diplomacy of Cambodia.

Once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, it was considered one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina[3] in the 1920s. Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are significant global and domestic tourist destinations for Cambodia. Founded in 1434, the city is noted for its beautiful and historical architecture and attractions. There are a number of surviving French colonial buildings scattered along the grand boulevards.

Situated on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers, the Phnom Penh metropolitan area is home to more than 2 million of Cambodia’s population of over 14 million.[4] The city is the wealthiest and most populous city in Cambodia and is home to the country’s political hub.

source

Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

Postcard Perfect is a weekly Wednesday meme hosted by Mommy Willa

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Masskara Festival Postcard

Thanks to Mommy Shengkay of Postcard Lover for sending me the colourful Masskara Festival postcard of The City of Smiles in Visayas~ Bacolod City, Philippines! My province is near to Bacolod but I haven’t seen the Masskara Festival myself. I wish to travel Bacolod someday^_^ ( click the image for a larger view, thanks)

History

The festival first began in 1980 during a period of crisis. The province relied on sugar cane as its primary agricultural crop, and the price of sugar was at an all-time low due to the introduction of sugar substitutes like high fructose corn syrup in the United States.[1] It was also a time of tragedy; on April 22 of that year, the inter-island vessel Don Juan carrying many Negrenses, including those belonging to prominent families in Bacolod City, collided with the tanker Tacloban City and sank. An estimated 700 lives were lost in the tragedy.[2]

In the midst of these tragic events, the city’s artists, local government and civic groups decided to hold a festival of smiles, because the city at that time was also known as the City of Smiles. They reasoned that a festival was also a good opportunity to pull the residents out of the pervasive gloomy atmosphere. The initial festival was therefore, a declaration by the people of the city that no matter how tough and bad the times were, Bacolod City is going to pull through, survive, and in the end, triumph.

The MassKara Festival is a festival held each year in Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental province in the Philippines every third weekend of October nearest October 19, the city’s Charter Inauguration Anniversary.

source

Postcard Friendship Friday is a weekly Friday meme, hosted by The Best Hearts Are CrunchyPlease play with us by clicking the linky. ^_^

Hello Kitty & Dear Daniel Postal Stamps

I’m now a member of Postcrossing and my first postcard for The Postcrossing Project will travel all the way to Germany! Woot! I hope that the receiver would like my postcard and with that I was lucky enough to have this kawaii Hello Kitty & Dear Daniel Postal Stamps. Bought lots of ‘em at the postoffice here in Japan and sent out numbers of postcards with the cutie stamp on for friendly swap ^_^

( Please click the images for a larger view, thanks! )

An entry for Join us by clicking the linky badge^_^

Watery Wednesday

Taken during our fun family summer trip last year at Nasu Animal Kingdom. If you’re visiting Japan, I would highly recommend the place ^_^
( Please click the image for a larger view, thanks )

An entry for Join us here

Taal Volcano Postcard

Thanks to Mommy Fe of Creations & Collections for sending me the beautiful Taal Volcano postcard. Tall Volcano is the smallest and most dangerous volcanoes in the Philippines. This is the first postcard that she sent me and actually she have given me 3 postcards already~ isn’t she sweet? ^_^
( please click the image for a larger view, thanks )

Taal Volcano

Taal Volcano is a complex volcano on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Historical eruptions are concentrated on Volcano Island, an island near the middle of Lake Taal. The lake partially fills Taal Caldera, which was formed by powerful prehistoric eruptions. Viewed from Tagaytay Ridge, Taal Volcano and Lake presents one of the most picturesque and attractive views in the Philippines.[1] It is located about 50 km (31 miles) south of the capital of the country, the city of Manila.

source

And it’s like hitting two birds at the same time for she sealed it with the Intramuros and Mayon Volcano stamps. How nice! \(^0^)/

Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers and hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

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2011 Philately Week Souvenir Sheet Stamp

I’m into postcrossing hobby right now and I find myself going into postoffice so much joy! There was one time that I sent a package to a friend and decided to buy stamps to go for it that was available at the postoffice~ I thought that it would be nice to receive stamps from Japan. Photo above is the 2011 Philately Week Souvenir Sheet stamp that was availabe last April 20. Japanese-y! ^_^ ( please click the image for a larger view, thanks)

Barasoain Church Postcard

A big thank you to Mommy Vix of Mum Writes for the Historical Barasoain Church postcard that is seen at Malolos, Bulacan of the Philippines! Barasoain Church is one of the most well known Catholic church in the Philppines. This is where the the first Philippine Constitution was made known as the Malolos Constitution. Mommy Vix, thank you so much for the messages that you wrote, it really warms my heart ^_^ ( please click the image for a larger view, thanks )

Barasoain Church is a Roman Catholic church built in 1630 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Having earned the title as the Cradle of Democracy in the East, most important religious buildings in the Philippines and the palace of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the Church is proverbial for its historical importance among Filipinos.

source

Postcard Friendship Friday is a weekly Friday meme, hosted by The Best Hearts Are CrunchyPlease play with us by clicking the linky. ^_^

Watery Wednesday

While there is LIFE, there is HOPE

( Please click the image for a larger view. Thanks! )

An entry for Join us here

The Alamo Postcard

I’d like to thank Mommy Dhemz of World Exploration for the awesome Alamo postcard!  The Alamo, San Antonio Texas ~ where Texas procured her freedom and became a Republic~

Originally named Mission San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo served as home to missionaries and their Indian converts for nearly seventy years. Construction began on the present site in 1724. In 1793, Spanish officials secularized San Antonio’s five missions and distributed their lands to remaining Indian residents. These men and women continued to farm the fields, once the mission’s but now their own, and participated in the growing community of San Antonio.

Source

Battle of the Alamo

From Wikipedia

Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers and hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

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Ipanema Coral Flip flop

A stylish flip flop in blue designed by super model Giselle Bundchen~ A must have for girls who loves flip flops. Now, I’m ready for summer! ^_^

Shiro

Meet Shiro, I don’t know his breeding but I guess he’s a plain japanese dog and his color is indeed brown but his name is Shiro~white in english. He was named by Haruka and when we asked us her why Shiro, she said it fits him daw LOL! He’s a member in the family in Namie but we haven’t seen him for 3 months already and we don’t even know if he’s still alive or what. I guess you have heard already about the radiation threaths in Fukushima and since Namie is 20 km near the nuclear plant, my PIL has no choice but to leave him because they don’t want to be the cause of the inconvenience coz they will be living at the evacuation center temporarily that time. My PIL has a ‘temporary home’ right now in Koriyama but still they can’t go home in Namie because of the radiation~ the hometown of my husband is inside the exclusion zone around the nuclear plant.
We really miss Shiro! (T_T)

Thursday Brownies is a weekly Thursday meme hosted by Mommy G

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Frontier Village Postcard

I wanna thank Hazel of My Roving Keepsake for sending me a postcard from North Dakota! I’m so green with envy to have known that the popular park attraction is just about 2 miles from where she lived. I really enjoyed receiving from friends and sending postcards to friends from different countries and learned from them as well. Thank you very much, sis!^_^ ( please click the image for a larger view)

Frontier Village

Jamestown, North Dakota

The village is open from May to December and features an 1881 church, an 1883 school as well as a postoffice, trading post, saloon, fire department, barber shop, Mary’s house, jail, sheriff’s office as well as Louis L’Moure building. The National Buffalo Musuem is close at hand and is open year round.

source
Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers and hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

Postcard Perfect is a weekly Tuesday meme hosted by Mommy Willa

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Box of Strawberries

Fresh from Iwaki, Fukushima! This is to support Iwaki’s Agricultural industries that our Fukushima needs. Friends, please support the TOHOKU region by buying fresh fruits and vegetable that are grown in the region. ( please click the image for a larger view,thanks! )

An entry for

Join us here at Ruby Tuesday.

White Day Gift

I’m thankful of my loving husband for giving me surprise gift on the White Day. I guess some of you knew already the culture here in Japan that during the Valentine’s Day, the girls will be the one giving gifts ( usually chocolates ) to men and on the March 14, it’ll be the the time for the girls to shine~ it’s the guys turn to give something back ^_^

Something happened last March 11,2011 here in Japan and when I opened up our cabinet to get some clothes to prepare for evacuation, I was surprised to see his gift for me. It was neatly wrapped although there’s some stuffs over it, I guess because of the intensity of the earthquake. I should be happy but I my mind wasn’t to it and the gift wasn’t appreciated. Of course, I feel sorry and thank my husband afterwards~ after coming back from the evacuation center, it was the only time I opened his gift to me… A Guess bag and a brown jacket from Comme Ca Ism for spring.

Fashionable Sandals For Summer

Nope, they’re not mine but a gift to my Mother ( 2nd pic ) and to my teen-ager Clarence Claire ( 1st pic ) in the Philippines~ I’m still looking for a simple footwear for me this summer, it might be another sneaker lol!

Thursday Brownies is a weekly Thursday meme hosted by Mommy G

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Canada Map Postcard and Royal Stamp

How lucky of me to be able to receive a Canada Map Postcard with the Royal Wedding stamp on! Thank you, Mommy Willa for sending the royal couple all the way to Japan! It’s a very beautiful commemorative stamp to mark the occasion of Royal Wedding.

Pink Sneakers of My Kids

Wakaba and Haruka has outgrown oh well, mostly worn out their shoes that I have to buy them new ones that made a hole in my pocket. Why oh why kids grow like weeds?!!

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Postcard From Pittsburgh

Thanks to Mommy Tsang of Picture My World for giving me a chance to glance the beautiful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania thru postcard! \(^0^)/ ( please click the image for a lager view, thanks )

PITTSBURGH

Originally established in 1758 as Pittsborough, a Bristish military outpost, Pittsburgh today is Pennsylvania’s second largest city and the nation’s busiest inland port.

Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers and hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

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Hello Kitty and My Melody Chocolates

I refuse to be tempted but a miniature Hello Kitty and My Melody chocolates from Candy Cabinet of Sanrio made me tickle because of it’s uber kawaiiness!!

Thursday Brownies is a weekly Thursday meme hosted by Mommy G

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Postcard of Bohol, Philippines

Received this postcard of Bohol from Kyla, daughter of Mommy Chris, author of Places And Postcards. Kyla, I appreciate your effort of writing a message for me. Thank you very much! ^_^ ( please click the image for a larger view, thanks )

Dear Clarissa,

Thank you for the postcards. They were beautiful. Now I am sending you this post card. I hope you like it! And it’s from Bohol. I love the under water picture, how about you? What do you like most?

Love,

Kyla

I haven’t been to Bohol yet and I would like to visit the scenic spots like of the Chocolate Hills and the Tropical Beaches of Panglao Island someday ^_^
Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers and hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

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Puma Women’s Benita Rainbow ( 352496-02 )

Found this sneaker a kawaii one because of the shoe lace color gradiations. The sneaker may look like blue on the picture but it’s a prism violet color and felt love at first sight! This baby is mine for spring! ^_^

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Bravia Sony Ericsson S005

I finally bought myself a cellphone~~~ after a 9 loong years! LOL! ( please click the image for a larger view, thanks!)

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Girl’s Talk- Fave Summer Activity

My favorite thing in the summer are long trips! My kids appreciates travel and enjoyed seeing new places. I love having a great day at the park with my family as the temperature rise. We love to go for walks, swimming and staying outdoor until the sun went down. We love attending summer events and everytime my kids is on a summer break, I’m always taking FULL advantage of our summer together and am sure I’ll be missing them again when class resumes^_^

A trip at Aqua World, Oarai Ibaraki

Bonding at Aquamarine Fukushima

Family trip at Nasu Animal Kingdom

Fun day at the park

Indoor pool at Spa Resort Hawaiians, Fukushima

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Watery Wednesday

They blossom, and then
we gaze, and then the blooms
scatter, and then….
~ Onitsura ~

( Please click the image for a larger view. Thanks! )

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Postcard From Canada With Love

This kawaii postcard from Canada is for my two daughters Wakaba and Haruka that was sent by our loving host Mommy Willa last Mother’s Day. The postcard of Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck is uber cute! It’s a first for them to receive postcards outside Japan. Thank you very much, Mommy Willa! ( please click the images for a larger view, thanks )

Ahhhh!! I love ‘em! \(^0^)/
Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers and hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

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Growing Up Too Soon

My kids are growing like weeds~ Wakaba’s size size is now 130 cm. and for her shoe size is 20 cm while Haruka’s size is now 110 cm and her shoe size is 16 cm. Geez! Our pockets hurt badly to buy two sets of sneakers and clothings for each child in such a short period of time.

Leg Magic Exercise Machine

I bought this thing ( lol ) online at x@&$#*.com with the flow of TV commercials. I tried the machine and then stopped working out. The machine works with your thighs, butt and legs but I cannot do more than a minute at a time and believe me, it’s harder than it looks! It’s a compact size kind of machine and is easy to use. You can do the gliding motions while watching the TV or listening to music. I could feel the burning in my thights most especially the inner thigh muscles~ it’s just that when my body starts to ache, I’m toooo lazy to continue the exercise lol! Well maybe next week, I’ll start (again) regularly ^_^

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Mother’s Day Greetings

I would like to thank the sweet Mommy Willa, author of Postcard Perfect for the package she sent me during the Mother’s Day. A Mother’s Day card, a postcard for Wakaba and Haruka and a cute souvenir from Canada that my MIL tried to snatch away from me lol! Thanks for the warm messages written on the card, Mommy Willa. It means a lot to me^_^

Another sweet and fab Momma that I would like to give thanks is Bambie, author of Azumi Kawaii Princessfor sending me a pink Mother’s Day card. You made me feel so special! Thanks for thinking of me on Mother’s Day^_^

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Girl’s Talk–Favorite Summer Outfit

I wish I could wear sundresses during the summer but a simple T-shirt, capri pants and or denim shorts  and a sandal is the most comfortable to me. Here in Japan, wearing a Summer Yukata  is common summer outfit most especially on festivals like Tanabata Festival and Hanabi(firework) Festival and although dressing a yukata takes a lot of practice, I enjoyed wearing it most especially that there’s a handy “ tsuke obi ” ( ready tied obi )  to make it more easier even without assistance. All you have to do is wrap the obi ( sash ) around your waist and then place the pre-tied bow in the back and tuck the strings neatly hidden under the sash. Can’t wait for the summer to come and wear my red summer yukata! ^_^

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Postcard From The Philippines

I was surprised to receive a postcard of Manila Zoo, Philippnes from Mommy Rossel of Topics On Earth and was touched by the message that she wrote for me. Thank you very much, Mommy Rossel!! You’re such a good friend^_^ ( please click for a larger view, thanks!)

Postcard Exchange is a weekly Tuesday meme and a project of young homeschoolers and hosted by Mrs.M. Hope you can send her homeschoolers a postcard for the project.

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Message Of Encouragement

A Mama Tomo ( Japanese Mama Friend ) of mine brought something for us at the apartment after the 3-11 earthquake here in Japan~~ it includes some snacks for the kids, cup ramen and tuna in can. What caught my attention is the message that she wrote at the back of a piece of Kitkat chocolates. It says: ‘ Kibou wo motte! ‘ or ‘ Please have hope ‘ in english.

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Homeless

People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes.
~ Sheila McKenchie ~

Ganbarou, Tohoku!

To walk a thousand miles you must begin with one step.
Hope and love for Japan.

We’re Back!

We’re back now at the apartment from the evacuation center yesterday together with my MIL and BIL and was welcomed by this:

M7.1 ! Oh please!! We’ve got enough of earthquakes! (T_T)

Girl’s Talk–Thank You For Loving Me

There were times when pressures in life just came unexpectedly that I really want to give up because it seems that I cannot handle it any longer. Yochan were never tired of loving me, for forgiving me when I did something wrong. I wanna say thanks to my husband for loving me ^_^

It´s hard for me to say the things
I want to say sometimes
There´s no one here but you and me
And that broken old street light
Lock the doors
leave the world outside
All I´ve got to give to you
Are these five words when I

Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn´t see
For parting my lips
When I couldn´t breathe
Thank you for loving me
Thank you for loving me

I never knew I had a dream
Until that dream was you
When I look into your eyes
The sky´s a different blue
Cross my heart
I wear no disguise
If I tried, you´d make believe
That you believed my lies

Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn´t see
For parting my lips
When I couldn´t breathe
Thank you for loving me

You pick me up when I fall down
You ring the bell before they count me out
If I was drowning you would part the sea
And risk your own life to rescue me

Lock the doors
leave the world outside
All I´ve got to give to you
Are these five words when I

Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn´t see
For parting my lips
When I couldn´t breathe

Thank you for loving me
When I couldn´t fly
Oh, you gave me wings
You parted my lips
When I couldn´t breathe
Thank you for loving me
Thank you for loving me
Thank you for loving me
Oh, for loving me.
Source

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BVLGARI Omnia

Received this Bulgari Omnia Purse Spray Collection that my husband gave me during the White Day of last year. It’s a travel sized bottle that includes a travel pouch and three Omnia fragrances–The Crystalline( sexy and light), Amethyste(feminine and elegant) and Green Jade( casual, fresh fragrance and my all-time favorite). It’s small enough to carry in my purse and has different scents to choose from depending on my mood of day.

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Music Monday–Every Rose Has It’s Thorn

This song from POISON brings back some good memories from “the good old days”. Gosh, I miss those times!

We both lie silently still
in the dead of the night
Although we both lie close together
We feel miles apart inside

Was it something I said or something I did
Did my words not come out right
Though I tried not to hurt you
Though I tried
But I guess that’s why they say

Chorus:
Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has its thorn

Yeah it does

I listen to our favorite song
playing on the radio
Hear the DJ say loves a game of easy come and
easy go
But I wonder does he know
Has he ever felt like this
And I know that you’d be here right now
If I could have let you know somehow
I guess

Chorus

Though it’s been a while now
I can still feel so much pain
Like a knife that cuts you the wound heals
but the scar, that scar remains

Solo

I know I could have saved a love that night
If I’d known what to say
Instead of makin’ love
We both made our separate ways

But now I hear you found somebody new
and that I never meant that much to you
To hear that tears me up inside
And to see you cuts me like a knife
I guess

Chorus

Source

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava’s Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Pink Friday–Angel

We bought Angel ( a character from Lilo & Stitch ) as a souvenier during our trip at Tokyo Disneyland last Febuary of this year and we bought Minnie Mouse’ headband for Haruka. Angel is Wakaba’s favorite character from Disney^_^
Please click the photo for a larger view. Thanks!

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Thank You, FAB Momma!

I’d like to thank Fab Momma Bambie of Azumi My Kawaii Princess Story for the gifts that she sent to my kids last Saturday–we were not at home when the package arrived coz we went to the bukid of tralala since Friday and when we came back at the apartment last Sunday evening, there was a notice left from the postoffice and received it next day. Haruka celebrated her 5th birthday and was happy to receive a surprise birthday gift from her Tita Bambie! Wakaba received pressies, too! Our heartfelt Thanks, Bambie! Thank you very much for the awesome gifts and for the friendship!

Valentine Chocolate

Because we celebrate Valentine’s Day here in Japan different from the west, here’s my choco pressies to my husband last Valentine’s Day. I’ll wait for the White Day for my time to shine lol!

Music Monday–I Remember You

I spent my highschool days listening to Skid Row and hanging posters of Sebastian Bach on the wall of my bedroom–how nostalgic! ^_^

Woke up to the sound of pouring rain
The wind would whisper and I’d think of you
And all the tears you cried, that called my name
And when you needed me I came through

I paint a picture of the days gone by
When love went blind and you would make me see
I’d stare a lifetime into your eyes
So that I knew you were there for me
Time after time you were there for me

Remember yesterday – walking hand in hand
Love letters in the sand – I remember you
Through the sleepless nights and every endless day
I’d wanna hear you say – I remember you

We spend the summer with the top rolled down
Wished ever after would be like this
You said I love you babe, without a sound
I said I’d give my life for just one kiss
I’d live for your smile and die for your kiss

Remember yesterday – walking hand in hand
Love letters in the sand – I remember you
Through the sleepless nights and every endless day
I’d wanna hear you say – I remember you

We’ve had our share of hard times
But that’s the price we paid
And through it all we kept the promise that we made
I swear you’ll never be lonely

Woke up to the sound of pouring rain
Washed away a dream of you
But nothing else could ever take you away
‘Cause you’ll always be my dream come true
Oh my darling, I love you

Remember yesterday – walking hand in hand
Love letters in the sand – I remember you
Through the sleepless nights and every endless day
I’d wanna hear you say – I remember you

Remember yesterday – walking hand in hand
Love letters in the sand – I remember you
Through the sleepless nights and every endless day
I’d wanna hear you say – I remember you

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava’s Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Show Me Japan– MISIA

Can’t help but share this Live DVD release from MISIA that I bought last year featuring footage from her “Hoshizora no Live V Just Ballade MISIA with Hoshizora no Orchestra” concert performance last February 13 & 14 of last year at Yokohama Arena. It also includes a bonus CD featuring selected audio recorded from her concert and a limited edition features special package with live photo book. Can’t wait to see MISIA in concert again! \(^0^)/

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Baby-G Heart Index Series

I can’t believe when my husband handled me a familiar small box during our 9th Wedding Anniversary. We agreed each other not to buy gifts but instead dine out to celebrate but was cancelled and we held our simple celebration at home. I was surprised to see the same watch but different color that my husband gave to our Clarence Claire! He knew that it wasn’t the type that I was eyeing for but he wanted to surprise me by having the same model as her and I’m glad that he did!!^_^

Ruby Tuesday–Dana Classic Fragrances

Ate Rose of Obstacles and Glories gave me this mini perfumes of Dana Classic as pressies last Christmas. She’s also a perfume lover and I like her taste of choosing the right perfume for me. Thanks a lot, Ate Rose!^_^

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Music Monday–I Was Born To Love You

Freddie is the greatest Frontman of all time– his voice makes me smile and my heart sing. Happy Valentine’s Day to ya’ll! ^_^

I was born to love you
With every single beat of my heart
Yes, I was born to take care of you
Every single day…

(chorus:)
I was born to love you
With every single beat of my heart
Yes, I was born to take care of you
Every single day of my life

You are the one for me
I am the man for you
You were made for me
Youre my ecstasy
If I was given every opportunity
Id kill for your love

So take a chance with me
Let me romance with you
Im caught in a dream
And my dreams come true
Its so hard to believe
This is happening to me
An amazing feeling
Coming through -

(chorus)

I wanna love you
I love every little thing about you
I wanna love you, love you, love you
Born – to love you
Born – to love you
Yes I was born to love you
Born – to love you
Born – to love you
Every single day – of my life

An amazing feeling
Comin through

(chorus)

Yes I was born to love you
Every single day of my life

Go, I love you babe
Yes, I was born to love you
I wanna love you, love you, love you
I wanna love you
I get so lonely, lonely, lonely
Yeah, I want to love you
Yeah, give it to me

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava’s Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Show Me Japan–Postcard

I was looking for a postcard from Japan ( nihon rashiku ) to send to a friend all the way to Thailand but was frustrated coz it’s hard to find one! I was glad to find this Akabeko postcard at the post office nearby. Akabeko symbolises Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.

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Online Education

Source: Online Education

Online Universities

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Online Universities

Girl’s Talk—Stupid Love

During the first year of getting married, I wanted to change the wallpaper of our room with heart prints on but my husband won’t let me because of the budget and we don’t own the apartment and so I prepared anything with hearts which I guess the stupidest thing I did for love for my husband–heart shaped pancakes, heart shaped sandwiches, baked a cake with heart accents, kahit ano basta may heart lol! One day I created a heart bento ( lunch box ) for him–over his plain rice, I decorated a pink heart shape with the help of sakura denbu ( a sweet-salty pink furikake used for decorations in sushi rolls, not in the photo ) but to my dismay, my husband told me that he was ashamed coz he was with his fellow co-workers during lunch time and upon seeing the heart bento that I made for him, he turned over the rice so his co-workers won’t see it and so I stopped making such bento for him(T_T).
One time that we had a fight, I made something to make him really pissed off–I made the heart bento again!! I knew that he’ll turn over the rice with pink heart decor and what I did was pati ilalim nilagyan ko na para pag turn over nya sa kanin kita uli ang heart. He didn’t speak to me then when he went home lol!

If you want to know more about the stupidest thing that we both did before we got married, read here ^_^

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Music monday–Barry White

This song is dedicated to my husband–he’s not a first but he’s my everything. Happy 9th Wedding Anniversary, babe!

(spoken)
We got it together didn’t we
We’ve definitely got our thing together, don’t we baby?
Isn’t that nice?
I mean really when you really sit and think about it
isn’t it really really nice?
I can easily feel myself sliping in more and more ways
in a simple world of my own
Nobody but you … and me
We got it together babe

My first, my last, my everything.
And the answer to all my dreams.
You’re my sun, my moon, my guiding star.
My kind of wonderful, that’s what you are

I know there’s only, only one like you.
There’s no way, they could have made two
You’re all I’m living for,
Your love I’ll keep for evermore,
You’re the first, you’re the last, my everything.

In you I’ve found so many things
A love so new only you could bring
Can’t you see if you,
You’ll make me feel this way.
You’re like a first morning dew on a brand new day.

I see so many way that I can love you,
Till the day I die.
You’re my reality, yet I’m lost in a dream.
You’re the first, the last, my everything

*** Instrumental ***

I know there’s only, only one like you.
There’s no way they could have made two.
Girl you’re my reality
But I’m lost in a dream
You’re the first, you’re the last, my everything

source

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L-O-V-E

Yochan,

Thank you for the 9 years of blissful marriage and I look forward to every year that is to come for us! Thank you for loving me^_^

Happy 9th Wedding Anniversary

Watery Wednesday

Our family went to see a Dolphin Show at Marinepia Nihonkai sometime in 2007. The kids were still small then when we went there and hope to visit again the aquarium located at Niigata City, Japan. I guess they will appreciate it now that they’re big girls already–Wakaba and Haruka is interested in aquatic animals^_^
( Please click the image for a larger view. Thanks! )

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Music Monday–Sweet Surrender

How I have always loved this song from Bread! What a truly awesome band and I thank God for these classics ^_^

SWEET SURRENDER by BREAD
written by David Gates

Baby I’m through runnin’ it’s true
I’d be a fool to try to escape you
Maybe I’m beat but oh what a sweet surrender

You keep your rights, I’ll take your nights
No one can lose when we turn the lights out
Tastin’ defeat, lovin’ that sweet surrender

I’m givin’ up myself to you but I didn’t really lose at all
I gave the only love I’ve known and it never hurt me to fall

Now that it’s done, so glad you won
I know our lives have only begun now
No more retreat, only my sweet surrender

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava’s Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Show Me Japan–Tsuruga-jo Castle

My family went to Tsuruga-jo Castle, Aizu-Wakamatsu during the Golden Week, 2009. I was amazed of what’s the inside of the castle since it was a first experience for me. Would love go back there again and try to experience the Tea Ceremony, but next time not on the Golden Week–flooding of people the time we went there(T_T)
( Please click the image for a larger view, thank you)

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Watery Wednesday

Creepy paths during our family fun day seeing amazing formation of dripstone at Abukumagawa Cave here in Japan. ( Please click the image for a larger view. Thanks! )

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Music Monday–What’s Forever For

An all time classic from England Dan and John Ford Coley. Oldies but goodies.

What’s Forever For

I’ve been looking at people
And how they change with the times
And lately all I’ve been seeing are people
Throwing love away and losing their minds

Or maybe it’s me that’s gone crazy
‘Cause I can’t understand why
All these people keep hurting each other
When good love is so hard to come by

So what’s the glory in living
Doesn’t anybody ever stay together anymore
And if love never lasts forever
Tell me what’s forever for

I’ve been listening to people
And they say love is the key
And it’s not my way to let them lead me astray
It’s only that I want to believe

But I see love-hungry people
Trying their best to survive
While in their hands is a dying romance
And they’re not even trying to keep it alive

So what’s the glory in living
Doesn’t anybody ever stay together anymore
And if love never lasts forever
Tell me what’s forever for

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava’s Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Show Me Japan–Shisa

去年は　いろいろありまして、シーサーは魔よけという事で。シーサー年があれば悪い事は無くなるかも。
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Girl’s Talk–Health Resolution

I dunno if I can keep this resolution that is hard to resist– my love for drinking alcohol. I have been drinking alcoholic drinks( sparkling wine,wine, beer, shochu, sake, cocktail, mixed drinks, you name it) and no matter how I  serve healthy dishes at the table and if I have alcoholic drinks in hand,  I tend to eat a lot and drink a lot!  I’m glad that we’re not living in with my beer-mate which is my MIL (we drink beer almost everyday before) and that my SIL gave 2 bottles of  Beaujolais wine on my birthday, then here comes the holiday,blah,blah,blah…I really have to cut-off my alcoholic drinks intake coz  my stomach is bloating like hell lol! Last year I promised  hubby to go on a diet and cut-off my drinking intake or else he would post my bulging tummy on his site(yukk!) but I guess it’s forgotten now(whew!). Now, I’ll grab the opportunity to make a lists of my health resolution for Girl’s Talk:

1:  Choose low calories alcoholic drinks ( who says I’m stopping?lol!) instead of the regular ones.

2:  Stick to only one can(350ml) for the night or nothing.

3:  One hour or more of brisk walking everyday.

4:  Avoid going into cafes that serves “morning sets” after the long walk. (my weakness)

5:  Eat balance food, no skipping meals.

6: Plan a long-term diet ( no crash diet please) let’s say, losing 1 kg every month for one year as a goal.

It’s only a short list and I dunno know if I can keep this but I’ll try it for myself starting today so good luck to me!^_^

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Santa From The U.S.A.

A Santa came all the way from the US of A with lots of goodies and pressies for me and my family!! Thanks to Ate Rose, authors of Obstacles and Glories, Our Clan’s Marveling, Spice Up Your Life. A surprise came after the Christmas Day and my family was very happy to receive the gifts. Wakaba and Haruka received Barbie dolls,yours truly received Dana perfume collection, hubby received a drinking bottle ( it’s perfect coz he’s taking cold beverages to work )plus chocolates and candy cane from the Cottrill Family. The kids were ignorant over the candy cane coz it’s their first to see those candies and we displayed some of them on our Christmas tree ^_^ Thank you so much, Ate Rose! I want you to know that I feel lucky to have you in my life– not only because of the gifts, it’s because you’re so kind, after all the years that we’ve been friends, you haven’t change a bit. THANKS A TON FRIEND!!!\(^0^)/

Music Monday–Happy Christmas(War Is Over)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Fukushima, Japan!

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let’s stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now…

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Merry Christmas!!

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS, WE WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!

Preparing For The Holiday

I’ve been pretty busy lately preparing for Christmas–ordered online a Christmas cake from Repaco Garden, waiting to be delivered on the eve, then done shopping (for my kids and pamangkins in the Phils), our lil Christmas tree was up with the help of my kids, Christmas greeting cards were sent and New Year postcards ready. My kids is now on school break–Haruka had a chicken pox a week before her last day at school and was at home since then, (she’s fine now, by the way). Wakaba is busy doing her homework even though she’s on school break( Japan school leaves homework to students to be done before the class resume) to be finished coz their Grandparents promised that they will pick the kids up for a sleep-over their home till the New Year (minus us)—they will go early to their Granny’s place then me and hubby have to do some general cleaning of our apartment before celebrating our New Year with them. If Wakaba finished her assignments early (they’re not as plenty as her homework on summer ), me and Yochan might then celebrate his birthday on the 30th without the kids^_^

Well anyway, I can’t publish a post on Kizuna that’s why I have to leave an update to my friends here–I dunno what’s happening but hope to fix ‘em up before having a blog leave for the holiday.
It is just a few days away to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2011!God Bless!

Watery Wednesday

Clownfish seen at Aquamarine, Fukushima ( Please click the image for a larger view, thanks!)

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Music Monday–The Christmas Song

May the season of joy bring peace to you and your family. Wishing you a heartfelt Merry Christmas from all of us here at Music Monday^_^

THE CHRISTMAS SONG – Nat King Cole ft Natalie Cole
lyrics:
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright,
Tiny tots with their eyes all a-glow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa’s on his way
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh,
And ev’ry mother’s child is gonna spy,
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I’m offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it’s been said
Many times, Many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

[musical interlude]

And so I’m offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it’s been said
Many times, Many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this at LadyJava’s LoungePlease note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted All others will be deleted without prejudice.

COACH For Him

Finally found a perfect gift for my husband on his birthday…..

and it’s a sssshhhhhhhh!!!

Girl’s Talk–Best Place To Unwind

Here are some of my best places to unwind. I deserve a simple ME time every now and then to stay sane from being stressful ^_^

Bakery House My Tokuji They serve the best baked goods in town.

I love to sit back and relax while having their best baked goods and reading a book.

Mister Donut They also serve pies which I lurve!
Morning set at Mister Donut is a great deal for having a ME time–you can have some ‘okawari’ refill hot coffee and or hot cafe au lait as many as you want with your favourite doughnut^_^

Where is your best place to unwind? Join us only here at

Watery Wednesday

Tiny jellyfish seen at Aqua World at Oarai Ibaraki, Japan. ( Please click the image for a larger view, thanks!)

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Ruby Tuesday

Taken at Haruka’s Christmas Show last weekend. Please click to view large image, thank you.

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Join us here at Ruby Tuesday.

Music Monday–It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Chrrismas Day is fast approaching and it’s time to share Christmas songs here at Music Monday from Andy Williams’ It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. Enjoy!
May your holiday season be blessed with love, peace and joy ^_^

Andy Williams – It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It’s the hap- happiest season of all

There’ll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There’ll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this at LadyJava’s LoungePlease note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Special Invitation

I’ve been busy browsing online looking for a perfect gift for my husband on his birthday this December…..

an invitation from COACH….

….I got an idea!

…will let him buy for ME (again) instead! LOL!

Girl’s Talk–The “Us” Time

We both love spending our time minus the kids for sometimes and we both love to take a walk from our apartment to Iwaki Station (train station in Fukushima Prefecture)every now and then while our kids are at school during his day-off on a weekday and have a coffee break at Doutor ( they serve morning coffee sets– a choice of your sandwich plus coffee). First, we drop our kids at school before 9 AM and it’s a 40 minutes walk to Iwaki Station and so we have plenty of time to spend while we wait for the time and eat lunch somewhere then pick up the kids at school afterwards. This is what we mostly do on his day-off ^_^

I love dates with my husband! Leisurely hanging out, we hold hands and just become a “couple”. It’s awesome! ^_^

Where do you usually hang out with your special someone? Join us only here at

Watery Wednesday

Watery Wednesday at the magical Tokyo Disney Sea Resort ^_^

( Please click the image for a larger view, thanks!)

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Music Monday–Baby I’m-A Want You

GREAT MUSIC ALWAYS FROM BREAD^_^

Baby, I’m-a want you
Baby, I’m-a need you
You the only one I care enough to hurt about
Maybe I’m-a crazy
But I just can’t live without…

Your lovin’ and affection
Givin’ me direction
Like a guiding light to help me through a darkest hour
Lately I’m a-prayin’
That you’ll always be a-stayin’ beside me

Used to be my life was just emotions passing by
Feeling all the while and never really knowing why…

Lately I’m a-prayin’
That you’ll always be a-stayin’ beside me.

Used to be my life was just emotions passing by
Then you came along and made me laugh
And made me cry…
You taught me why…

Baby, I’m-a want you
Baby, I’m-a need you

Oh, it took so long to find you, baby

Baby, I’m-a want you
Baby, I’m-a need you

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this at LadyJava’s LoungePlease note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Girl’s Talk–Eating Out At Steak Miya

Steak Miya is a favourite of ours on our lunch date while waiting for the kids at school during my husband’s day-off on a weekday. I highly recommend Steak Miya’s Week Day Lunch Menu. Photo above is a beef steak ( Miya’s sauce for my steak@714 yen ), menchi katsu ( deep fried ground pork ) served in a hot plate together with a plain rice but changed it for a yaki meshi ( fried rice, plus 150 yen) and we set it with drinks and soup for unlimited refills ( with additional charge of course ). Japanese family restaurants here usually offer drink bars such as softdrinks and even coffee and macchiatos. Same with soup bars–Steak Miya serves onion soup, corn potage and soups available for the day–all you have to do is get your glass for your drink and a cup for your soup for an extra charge. And because they’re unlimited cup servings, we usually get loaded with soups just before our order is served lol! So if you’re in the mood for good food tripping at an affordable price here in Japan, try to visit Steak Miya ^_^

Where is your best place to eat out? Join us only here at

Watery Wednesday

( Please click the photo to enlarge )

Mountain side—one of my favourite place to stay with ^_^

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Music Monday–Ai Shiteru

Can’t stop the tears from falling while watching this pv of Ken Hirai, so touching. It’s a theme song of the Japanese movie entitled Ghost ~Mouichido Dakishimetai~ starring Nanako Matsushima and Song Seung heon based from the movie Ghost that starred Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. Please listen to Ken Hirai’s new single, sad but a great song.

Ai Shiteru ~Hirai Ken~
Nee doko ni iru no?
Kimi no koe wo kikasete yo
Todokanai negai demo
Boku wo sakebitsuzukeru aishiteru

Nee kikoeteru no
Boku no koe ga boku no uta ga
Koborenai namida demo
Karadajuu ga naiteru

Deatta hi
Boki no me ni utsuru kimi wa
Ai no katachi wo shita

Kono mune ga chigirete
Kokoro eguri torare
Sore demo ii dakishimetai
Kami ni yubi ni hoho ni matsuge in kuchibiru ni
Mou ichido dake furete itai
Kono te wa kimi wo dakishimeru tame dake ni
Kitto aru kara

Nee tatoe kimi ga
Iro wo nakushi yume ni nattemo
Wasurenau kese ya shinai
Karadajuu ni kizanda

Kasaneta hi
“Ai shiteru” to ugoita
Kuchibiru wo oikakete

Kono yume ga chigirete ai wo ubaitorare
Sore demo ii dakishimetai
Kowareta hohoemi wo furenu kuchibiru wo
Torimodoshite atatametai
Koboreru kimi wo uketomeru eien ni
Kirei na mama de

“Ai shiteru” to itte “Ai shiteru” to itte
Mou ichido dake dakishimetai
Kami ni yubi ni hoho ni matsuge in kuchibiru ni
Mou ichido dake furete itai
Kono te wa kimi wo dakishimeru tame dake ni
Kitto aru kara

Nee doko ni itemo
Kimi no koe wa kikoeteru yo
Todoku made kanau made boku wa sakebitsuzukeru
Ai shiteru
English

Hey, where are you?
Let me hear your voice
Even if my wish isn’t heard
I’ll keep screaming I love you

Hey, can you hear
My voice, my song?
My tears may not fall
But my whole body is crying

The day we met
In my eyes
You were shaped like love

I don’t care if my chest is shredded
And my heart is ripped out
I want to hold you
I want to touch your hair, your fingers, your cheeks
Your eyelashes, your lips one last time
Because my hands were surely made
Only to hold you

Hey, even if you
Lose your colour and become a dream
I won’t forget you, can’t erase you
You’re carved into my whole body

The day we became one
I followed your lips
As they formed the words “I love you”

I don’t care if my dreams are shredded and my love is taken away
I want to hold you
I want to take back your broken smile and lips I can’t touch
And warm them
I’ll catch you when you fall
Forever beautiful

I want to hold you just one more time
And say “I love you” and “I love you”
I want to touch your hair, your fingers, your cheeks
Your eyelashes, your lips one last time
Because my hands were surely made
Only to hold you

Hey, wherever you are
I can hear your voice
Until my wish is heard, until it comes true, I’ll keep screaming
I love you

Romaji and English Translation credit: Kiwi-Musume

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this at LadyJava’s LoungePlease note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Skywatch Friday

“God and Nature first made us what we are and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always the great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement.”

~Marcus Garvey~

(Please click the photo to enlarge)

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Girl’s Talk–Accessories/Apparel Shopping

I’ve been picking up clothes here and there from malls most especially on good bargains and on clearance sale for my kids ( they’re growing up fast) but I don’t do much shopping on accessories and apparel for myself –I rarely buy stuffs for me ( my latest apparel shopping for the fall is here). I love wearing lots of burloloys when I was still single but not fond of using my accessories anymore although I only have a few of collection of them and now I’m only for wristwatches. My bulgari watch has been left on my wrist for a very long time and it’s a precious to me coz I bought it myself on my second salary when I was still working here in Japan–now with scratches but still a favourite^_^
I’ve been eyeing lately for a new Baby-G and herefor a change. Nagpaparamdam pa lang ako sa asawa ko wishing he’ll buy me one lol.

What includes your accessories,apparel shopping? Join us only here at

Thanks Mommy Dhemz,Niko and TO YOU!

I would like to give thanks to all friends who greeted me at Facebook, friends who posted well wishes for me on my birthday to their sites, friends who dropped a line at the comment section both here at Brilliant Days and Kizuna and to my shout box, and to my ‘silent readers’, a big, BIG THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!! THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL SPECIAL^_^

I also would like to say Thank you K, for the wonderful birthday banner! I super love it!

Thank you very much, Mr. Dfor a unique birthday post! Totally awesome!

Thank you,Mommy UmmaI’m wishing to have a fun drink with you someday^_^

I would also like to say thanks to these two wonderful ladies for not only taking the time to think of me on my birthday but to send pressies as well.

Mommy Dhemz, so sweet of you! Thank you so much for the pressies (I’m using the purse everyday^_^) most especially for the kids–we love it so much. Can’t wait for the summer to come!

Thank you,Niko for granting my wish to have Rei Ayanami’s body line! I super love my curves! I guess I have already said what I wanted to convey to you at the phone, naputol nga lang lol^_^

It was very thoughtful of you my dear friends, I am incredibly touched! Maraming salamat po^_^