Today, after expiring my subway commuter pass on 15 May 2020, I didn’t renew my pass and started walking to the office.
The rainy season is over so it’s VERY HOT in Tokyo now; therefore, I need a backpack to carry many more new necessaries to the office.
These are new necessaries in addition to normal etiquettes things such as tissue, cosmetics for retouch, hand cream, wallet, cough drops and eco bag.
It’s heavier now but these are necessaries.
Now I bring lunch to work.
I used to go out for lunch to refresh myself but today I eat at my desk to clear my work fast in case Boss allows us to go back earlier than the clock.
I used to buy Take Out Meals from supermarket for dinner; however, during my Stay Home Period, I tried to cook as much as I can to avoid packed food.
Today, I try to continue a good practice.
To ease my weekday tasks, I binge cooking today / on Sunday,
Hopefully these can save me from time and appetite.
As I mentioned before, I had vouchers from ANA which I can use them to dine and purchase at ANA Intercontinental Tokyo.
I cannot get change from the voucher; therefore, I paid the balance the other day and returned to the hotel to spend the balance of voucher: JPY 5,000 (USD 50).
I went to a Sophisticated French Pastry Shop: Pierre Gagnaire Pains et Gateaux.
First, I asked for a box of Chocolates and four flavours of Macarons.
When I was about to make a payment at the cashier, I was informed that a shop is offering 20 percent discount till 31 July 2020.
I saved JPY 1,257 (USD 12.5) which allowed me to buy am additional short cake (strawberry cream cake).
It’s fun to open boxes….although I bought them myself and knowing what are inside…
I was wondering what to eat lightly to enjoy these. Hummmm
Well, I had the best dinner: eggs, flour, milk (cream), grapes and some guilty sugar. (Some..!?)
The BEST!
I’ll try to enjoy them slowly.
We need to face this to check on our body temperature and wearing a mask to enter movie, gym, etc.
First, I taught UNO to my niece based on rules that I remember.
However, I worried what if I taught her wrongly and she gets confused when she plays the game with friends.
I checked the official rules practices by Japan UNO Association and I changed rules; yes, to my surprise there is Japan UNO Association!
She is only 5 years old and can play with adults by remembering many rules such as same Colour, same Number, Skip, Reverse, +2, +4 and WILD Card and according to the packaging, the game is designed for 7 years old and above!
I am proud of her!
We were so full from lunch the previous day so we skipped dinner and souvenir – Panda Baum (Matcha Baumkuchen or layered cake) .
After playing few games of UNO and having a light breakfast, we opened the box….there is a cute Panda!
The cake is in Panda shape!
We decorated our Panda Baum with Macarons.
It’s cute and delicious!
We all got excited, regardless our age!
It’s fourth day and last day today.
While she was packing, she asked me what date would it be her next visit?
She is asking for DATE!
I told her we should plan again on her school holiday.
I’m glad to know that she enjoyed her stay at my condo and she is looking forward to visiting me again.
On the other hand, Choco looks happier to get attentions and his quietness after guests leaving.
Yes, we finished our roles as host and we shall get some rest.
I had JPY 20,000 (USD 200) worth of vouchers from ANA.
I’ve decided to take my niece for lunch buffet at Cascade, ANA Intercontinental Tokyo.
It’s new style (New Normal) because some dishes are ordered base and cart delivery base to control Mitsu (crowd).
We all enjoyed food and desserts
We all also received Panda Baum (cake) for a souvenir.
My niece enjoyed it very much.
I think I used my voucher wisely.
It’s Japanese National Holiday, Health and Sports Day, today which I believe it was created for Tokyo Olympics.
It supposed to be Tokyo Olympics 2020 Opening Ceremony Day today.
It was National Holiday, Ocean Day, yesterday making this weekend long (4 days) .
I thought the town would be crowded with visitors and I would be glued on TV.
Japanese government launched Go to Travel Programme on 22 July 2020 to stimulate tourist industry by excluding Tokyo residences.
The government subsidies traveling cost for transportation, accommodation and coupons to use in the visited area.
However, the policy is changing even after launching.
On the other hand, the number of new case is shooting, recording 366 in Tokyo yesterday.
And the number increased not only in Tokyo but also other areas such as Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and many more.
All governors are worried after this long weekend coz many people are traveling with Go To Travel Programme
I’m enjoying long weekend with my niece and we don’t mind to stay in because we haven’t seen since New Year due to the COVID and we have so many things to do!
We’ve been playing games by creating and changing game rules.
I want her to eat healthy so I try to cook as many as I can and she volunteered to help me making dumpling!
We are having so much fun staying in!
I’m not qualified for Go To Travel Programme and it’s better to avoid crowd.
We decided to stay in but we are having so much fun!
I’ve never thought we would spend Olympics Opening Ceremony Day like this.
I like how I’m spending today though it’s different from what I imagine last year – being with family.
Stay Safe!
21 July 2020 was this year’s Doyo no Ushi.
Doyo no Ushi is a date for Chinese calendar; therefore, the date for western calendar changes every year.
On Doyo no Ushi, we have a custom to eat Unagi (Eel).
We believe eel is energy food and we encourage to eat eel during summer when we lose energy.
I had my belated Doyo no Ushi (Eel’s day) on 22 July 2020 at Chikuyotei, Ginza for lunch.
It was nice and surely I gained some energy.
When I returned home, Mom reported she bought Eel Obento (take away) for dinner at our family restaurant, Shojikiya, Roppongi.
It reminded me of my grandpa.
We talked about him and memories with him while having our dinner.
I like eel so I don’t mind to have it for two continuous meals.
Each restaurant has different taste (character) on food even though it’s the same dish.
I think I managed to gain energy which I need it for now.
This is a poster for museum at 21_21 Design Sight, Roppongi, Tokyo.
The exhibition date is extended because the museum was closed for two months.
Furthermore, we need to make a reservation for admission to enter the museum.
Even dining at the restaurant, it’s recommended to make a reservation to secure a seat.
Making a reservation is one of NEW NORMALs.
In 2014, Japanese government introduced new tax incentive system to support local areas: Furusato Nozei (Home Town Tax Payment Programme).
We can purchase local products and services (hotel stay, experience such as diving, etc) to support the area.
We pay for products and services and the government provides incentives for income tax deduction.
There are few Furusato Nozei service providers such as Satofuru, Furunabi, Department Stores, etc.
This time, I purchase Nama Katsuo no Tataki (lightly roasted bonito) from Katsuura-city, Chiba via Satofuru,
My mother side are originally from Katauura; therefore, YES, I would like to support the city and this has sentimental value for me.
I will purchase more products and services from the areas that I would like to support.
This was my first purchase and I’m glad that I was strongly recommended to use this system to enjoy products and services AND tax deduction.
