After Happy Days

How nice, we have clear blue sky almost every day! We feel a slight chill in the high of 50F (10C), but nice enough!

Few hours ago, I saw Mt. Fuji with the sunrise, but now the sun has set... Isn't it sad!? Days are too short. I miss all my holidays which will end tomorrow...

Last night, my boyfriend and I had a dinner with my family. Maybe it was since last winter that we gatherd together. My dad now resides in China, so we aren't seeing each other that often. I was kind of lazy to see my family, but despite my feeling, it was fun!

Today, my boyfriend left for Shiga to see his parents. He just e-mailed me that his mom has recovered really well! Thanks to God!!! He will be there until Monday. I didn't go with him because my work starts from Monday. Anyway, isn't it funny that I feel lonely?! Didn't I hope to be alone?! Maybe not after happy days!!!

Tomorrow, I need to cook to fill my quota! I hope everything goes fine.

How was your holidays?!

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Happy New Year 2009

Hello! I hope everyone is doing fine.
This new year's holidays are passing very fast! We have only 3 days left until the first day of work.

As usual, I cooked new year's food (Osechi) on the 31st. It took me a day to complete it... whew! We had it for our brunch and dinner today with white zoni soup. Somehow, I was so drowsy all day long that I took a nap until evening.





Then we went to hatsumoude (new year's visits to shrine). There we pray for a wish to come true. My wish is always the same. There is nothing more valuable than staying healthy!!!

Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2009 ;)

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2008 Japan Figure Skate Championships: Mao Asada

I am off my culinary stuff, but I love watching figure skating, especially the ladies! Yesterday was short and today was free of 2008 Japan Figure Skate Championships. Of course the highlight was Mao Asada. Unfortunately, she was at the 2nd place yesterday, but she won it today with her nerves of steel! It was her third consecutive championship victory which she has aimed for this year.

I like her when she says she will bring the best out of herself. She is only 18, but her inner strength is built strong! Amazing!!!

Changing my story, I printed out my new year's card today. I need to send them out soon so they'll arrive on January 1st!!!

Tomorrow, I have to do the rest of the cleaning. I hope I could finish it by tomorrow...

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Merry Christmas!

Hi! We are having a warm Christmas this year!!! The temp is going up and down daily. Today, the high was 59F (15C) but it will go down to 44F (7C) tomorrow.

These are some dishes I made this year for Christmas.


My boyfriend is still busy. He came home late last night and left home early this morning. He liked the Gucci tie that I gave him and wore it this morning ;)

Christmas is almost end. Now there are only 6 days left this year. I believe time flies...

Happy Merry Christmas!

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B Never Too Busy to be Beautiful

Hi! It was very warm yesterday and today as well! The high is 66F (19C)!!! But the temp will drop down to high 48F (9C) tomorrow :(

Yesterday, my sister gave me a lip gloss and an eyeshadow brush for my birthday present. She brought to my home because we don't see each other that often. Maybe I haven't seen her since this spring!!! I like the brand name: B Never Too Busy to be Beautiful. They are from London. She told me that they are now popular in Japan and many fashion magazines feature them. I love glittering stuff, so they are my taste! Thanks!!!

Well, speaking of the professional bathroom cleaning, it was great! Now our bathroom is almost brand new. No mold or water stain! My boyfriend was surprised, too, because last year he spent half a day to clean the bathroom, and so do I the year before! Thanks for the professional, he cleaned it in 2 hours!!!

Tonight, we have a company year-end party again. I wish I could skip it... too boring, to tell the truth!

Then, tomorrow is a holiday (The Emperor's Birthday). Yay! I'm gonna have my hair cut (just a little bit), maybe for the first time in 5 months.
Yes. Never too busy to be beautiful! Ha-ha!!!

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L'OCCITANE Immortelle Very Precious Cream Noel Gift

Finally! I got the L'OCCITANE's Immortelle series on the weekend! What I got is "L'OCCITANE Immortelle Very Precious Cream Noel Gift" which includes, Essential Face Water, Very Precious Concentrate, and Very Precious Cream! In addition, I got "Very Precious Eye Serum". Total of about 27,000yen ($270)! But this set saves 5,000yen ($50) and there was a refund of 6% ;) Thank you jose! L'OCCITANE is very popular in Japan (they have a presence nationwide), but I didn't realize it until she recommended it to me. I tried more than 5 times (made 5 trips to get some samples, ha-ha), so I am sure those agree with my skin! I still use my KOSE skin care, so I just bought L'OCCITANE's night series. Let's see how I can change...

Anyway, tomorrow (12/9) is my birthday! My boyfriend and I took 2 days off to visit HUIS TEN BOSCH: the world’s finest flower resort in Nagasaki prefecture (in Kyushu). We'll also make a brief stop in Fukuoka, jo!
The weather tomorrow in Nagasaki now says cloudy, fair later! The temp is higher, too! The high is 64F (18C)!!! Last week, the forecast showed rain, so I was disappointed... Tokyo is rain instead but not in the morning! Great!!!! I hope I can relax without thinking of cooking!!!

I think I am going to be very busy this week. Especially on Friday, I have to attend the bean cook-off! I thought it was on 12/19, but was wrong... glad I noticed! Also, company year-end party is on the same day. Plus I need to fix my bank mag card... somehow, it won't read since yesterday. I can't get cash! :( How inconvenient that bank counter closes after 5!

I hope everything will turn out fine...

Bye for now :)
I need to charge batteries for my camera!

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Which Book Are You?

jo passed me another humorous quiz!
Oh no... I hope this one is not mine.
Funny, ha-ha. But kind of true in reality?!

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You're One Hundred Years of Solitude!
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez



Lonely and struggling, you've been around for a very long time.
Conflict has filled most of your life and torn apart nearly everyone you know. Yet there is something majestic and even epic about your presence in the world. You love life all the more for having seen its decimation. After all, it takes a village.

Take the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.
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I might need help to be successful.

Changing my story, this morning I saw on TV that the flu is going around!!! So, I finally had a flu shot this afternoon! Human cases of avian flu sounds scary. Hope not outbreak...

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What City Do You Belong In?

This was fun, jo!
I like this kind of fortune telling like quiz ;)
I love the cafe life and a beautiful park!

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You Belong in Paris



Stylish and expressive, you were meant for Paris.
The art, the fashion, the wine!
Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park...
You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?
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Today, I'm gonna have a lunch out with my co-worker ;)
The weather is cold but we have beautiful clear blue sky out here!
Can't wait to go out!!!

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DV-2010

Hello. It's a rainy day all day long.
We are in the 50Fs (15C) and quite cold.

Anyway, every year I apply for Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery. But last year I forgot since I was busy with my culinary stuff. And this year, I almost missed it! I realized that the deadline was 12/1, yesterday. With a jolt, I asked my co-worker to take my photo using my cellphone camera and applied... However, when I got home, I found that it wasn't over yet. The deadline was not 12/1 0:00 but 12/2 0:00! My photo quality was not that good, so I think this year was unsuccessful, needless to say...
So, when I got home, I took a photo of my boyfriend using my single-lens reflex camera and applied for him! I hope he wins...

By the way, the lottery is highly competitive. It is said that the winner is one out of 200!
Is there anyone who won this lottery?!

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Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

It is getting cold! The high is around 57F (15C) but chilly with dry air. Time to use heavy hand cream, I guess...

This summer, I bought Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (5.0 fl.oz.) in NY and now it's doing a great job ;) Last winter, I wrote about my hand care items. I still use them but never enough, you know!!! I use hand cream every time after my hand-wash, so I need to keep a stock!

Changing my story, this afternoon, I went to see ENT doctor while at work because I had a runny nose (it hurt) and couldn't concentrate on my work!!! The doctor said my nose is not that swollen but prescribed me some pills. Should I need to see him?! Hope so... I know it is always cheaper and better to see a doctor than taking pills bought at a drug store! I hope I can go to the GYM tomorrow!!!
I always wash my hands and gargle when I got home, by the way...

I'm gonna go to bed now.
See you again...

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Kuidaore Taro Got a New Job

Hi! We have fine weather here again ;)
I had a lunch with my co-worker after a long time!

Do you know Kuidaore Taro?
I once wrote about him before in my diary.
He is a mechanical drum-playing clown in front of Dotonbori (in Osaka)'s famous restaurant Cui-daore: a massive eight-story restaurant with a different Osaka cuisine on each floor.
The restaurant has closed on July 8th and he was removed since then.



However, yesterday, I saw on TV that he is coming back to Dotonbori! He will be back in front of Nakaza building (image on the right) next to the Cui-daore restaurant where he used to stand. Interestingly, Taro is just for rent and he belongs to Taro Company, which owner (Michiko Kakinoki)'s family has launched.
This article shows how popular he is!!!
Kuidaore Taro to debut as 'talent'

I wish I could be famous like him! Ha-ha!!!

Okay, talk to you later!
Have a nice day ;)

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Pingu's Birthday

We have fine autumn weather today! Last evening, it rained cats and dogs. The weather forecast was wrong again :( Luckily, I had an umbrella with me, but I saw many people buying umbrellas at convenience stores.

Do you know Pingu? It's one of my favorite cartoon characters! I used to watch this cartoon series when I was in a high school. It was shown on TV every morning before 7AM I believe... I still have video tapes which I recorded all those series, but unfortunately, I don't have VCR to play anymore... Also, I used to collect Pingu goods! My favorite is the Pingu voice alarm clock, but my boyfriend doesn't like it because it's too noisy... Anyway, today is Pingu's birthday! Happy Birthday!!! I never knew his birthday, but it was on my 2008 Pingu calendar :)

Changing my story, I have a pain in my left shoulder :( I must have strained my muscle at gym... What a spaz... One bad thing happens after another.
On Saturday I again had body composition done. Believe it or not, again, in another week, I gained muscle but my fat went right back where I started... Life is not easy!!!

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