Music improved so I can keep on moving.
It’s only 30 mins session, but I get soak in sweat and feel good.
I try to participate every Friday night, but i has to cancel many nights due to work.
Please, please give me peace at work.
Month: March 2019
Paper Tong
There is a movement to reduce use of plastics globally.
I listened to the announcement of Starbucks stating to stop use of plastic straws by 2020 in shock.
Plastic products cannot be biodegraded; instead, it produces a harmful substance to the environment, especially for the ocean: micro plastics.
Today. I attended a small reception at the Good Design Marunouchi.
I enjoyed having a nice chat on importance of design to improve products and even society with a designer and jury for the Good Design Award.
Then I spotted a paper tong there.
I have heard and seen paper straws at Daiso (100 yen shop), but not a tong.
I was excited to see these paper tongs.
In addition to the design, we also talked about food waste.
I understand restaurants and hotels don’t want us to take away left over food.
In fact, they strictly prohibit us to do so.
The industry might have experienced customers suing them for a food poisoning.
Perhaps, dining industry can take some action by asking customers to sign on agreement before they take away food.
It is sad to know that left over food has been destroyed at the back.
Nonetheless, today, I was excited to know there is a paper tong!
Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai, Shiba-Koen, Tokyo
I was invited for a corporate dinner at the Tokyo Tofuya Ukai, Shiba-Koen, Tokyo.
The restaurant is located foot of Tokyo Tower.
It’s dark so difficult to see its beautiful traditional building,
We are greeted by Sakura (Cherry Blossom) that is about to bloom.
There are 600 types of Sakura and this is Miyabi Zakura, first to bloom.
There are sake cups decorated in Japanese 7 Gods and Goddess.
These are for Ohanami (Sakura viewing).
There is a nice Japanese garden.
And there is a house…
to grill deep-fried tofu with charcoals.
We can look up Tokyo Tower from the garden.
This is another type of Sakura, Shidare Zakura.
This restaurant will be nicely in pink during Sakura season.
I had a nice Tofu Kaiseki (Tofu Course Dinner).
I enjoyed companies, conversation, variety of Tofu and seasonal Amaoh Strawberry juice.
I had a souvenir to bring back.
It became a lovely evening.
3.11
Today, it is a Memorial Day.
Eight years ago, the Northern Japan was hit by the Great Northern Earthquake and Tsunami and took lives of over 15,000 people.
There are 2,500 candles with a message on washi (Japanese washi paper) representing the ballon at the park of Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.
Each message is written by those living in the hit area: Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima.
The ballon is sending a message of 2,500 people.
There are digital Tanzaku (strip of paper) to send a cheering message to people who are living and trying to reconstruct the Northern Japan.
Shopping Weekend
Yesterday, on Saturday, 9 March 2019, I went to Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi, Tokyo to buy golf shirts and a hat for my friend in overseas.
To my surprise, these golf wears by Leonard Sports Paris are mainly produced for Japan market and only available in few areas in Asia.
It was fun shopping on behalf. hahaha
On Sunday, 10 March 2019, I went to Osaka to meet my friend from Malaysia.
I hopped on Shinkansen (bullet train) in the morning and went to Osaka.
We met up at Nanba and had our lunch.
We walked Dotonbori area and decided to have grilled seafood at Isomaru Suisan Dotonbori, Osaka.
Perhaps, I looked helpless; it was so nice having someone cooking for us!
We had a big lunch but no worries; we started walking for shopping!
We took few selfie at Dotonbori (Dotonbori River), Osaka.
We continued shopping at Shinsaibashi Suji Shotemgai (Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade).
We stopped at Daiso (100 yen shop), 3Coins+Plus (300 yen shop), etc.
There are many foreign tourists to shop; therefore, the choice of products, especially for Japanese Souvenirs are good and many!
Starbucks is popular among us.
Many beautiful seasonal Sakura designed tumblers and cups are available.
I checked the merchandise before in Tokyo.
There are many choices like shown in below photos.
But when we visited the first Starbucks of today, there are only few Sakura design merchandises available.
Other designs are all sold out at that shop.
I became panic because I wanted to get one for my dear friend.
We looked for other Starbucks – Starbucks Shinsaibashi BIG, America Mura (American Village), Shinsaibashi, Osaka – and found the design that she wants.
Luckily, I found it!
Today, merchants finish fast because the purchasing power of foreign tourists is so great.
I was in panic so I bought it, though I’m in Osaka.
Then made me wanting to have one for myself so that we can be twins. hehehe
Starbucks became a great shopping place for us.
Time was running out for me; I had to catch the Shinkansen back to Tokyo.
But we had another destination for shopping: Daimaru Department Store Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
My friend wanted to get something nice for her bosses who fought for her so that she can take this training programme in Osaka.
It’s so sweet of her.
But time is ticking…I helped her to decide souvenirs but I ran out time to accompany her to get tax refund.
Japan is safe and systematic.
I guided her and left for Shin-Osaka Eki (Shin Osaka Station) to catch my Shinkansen back to Tokyo.
I managed to reach Shin-Osaka to catch my Shinkansen.
I’m heading back to Tokyo.
I had a good time with my friend.
We laughed and exercised well.
You know women don’t mind to walk around and around the store.
I needed a crazy fun like this to get a break.
The Week of 4th March 2019
Monday, 4 March 2019
As I uploaded, I attended the reception hosted by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Indistry.
Tuesday, 5 March 2019
I went to gym to rewind my body to get ready for a long day next day.
Wednesday, 6 March 2019
I visited three companies and they are:
*Rakuten
Rakuten is Japan’s leading e-Commerce platform; approximately 100 million users occupying 25% of Japanese eCommerce market.
*Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town/Panasonic
Panasonic, being a Japan’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and household equipment, enriches lifestyle by building a sustainable town enabling residents to have eco-friendly and comfortable lifestyles while ensuring safety and security.
*Kawasaki Heavy Industries Robotics Company
Kawasaki robotics is one of Japanese leading suppliers of industrial robots and robotic automation systems utilizing IoT and AI to meet the demand for IR 4.0.
It was fun witnessing the latest technologies.
Thursday, 7 March 2019
I visited FOODEX JAPAN 2019 (the world third largest international food and beverage exhibition) at Makuhari Messe, Chiba for assisting a meeting.
I’m glad to know that I could assist to solve issues.
Friday, 9 March 2019
I received urgent assignments (such as sending reports and receiving a group) to be settled.
This week, it’s more on reporting on work; simultaneously I had a great fun visiting companies, places and meeting people.
I try my best to interest me and motivate me.
I attended the reception for celebrating 140th Anniversary of Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry this evening.
I met with friends and enjoyed nice finger food while we chatted.
Birthday Events
You must be wondering what happened to my trip to Egypt.
Well, internet access was slow so I decided to go on digital detox and took sleep to enjoy my trip.
I returned to work on the next day I came back from Egypt and I had a pile of work waiting for me with a very short notice project.
I will try to share my amazing trip to Egypt soonest possible.
Due to work, I totally forgot about my birthday, 3 March, till Friday, 1 March 2019.
The Japanese sweet store, Fugetsu-do, reminded me of my birthday by looking at displayed Japanese traditional sweet and Ohina-sama (Dolls) for Hinamatsuri (Dolls Day) on 3 March.
I bought these sweets to at least celebrate my birthday because I had no plan on my birthday at that time.
I admired their Ohina-Sama at the store.
I totally forgot to decorate my mini dolls.
After I thought of my birthday, my friends contacted me to plan celebrating my birthday.
So sweet of them!
I started my Birthday Eve, 2 March 2019, with Spa.
I planned this before to treat myself.
I also sent Choco for spa and grooming.
I hope he enjoys like how I enjoy.
My spa gave me a birthday gift (chocolate in rose shape from Message de Rose) so I enjoyed it with a glass of wine.
I haven’t arranged flower for a while so I thought I should decorate a room with floor for my birthday.
Flower always bring me smiles.
I had my birthday eve dinner at Sushi Restaurant Sushi Ishii, Akasaka, Tokyo.
This restaurant allows a pet on Saturday night.
That means… Choco also joined Sushi dinner!
Though he didn’t have any piece, it was a nice dinner (for me for sure. hahaha)
On my birthday, I started with Brunch at Gaston & Gasper, Roppongi.
Of course, Choco joined me.
Choco was interested in my take out ice cream that I can make on my own.
I know it looks nice, but Sorry Choco, I cannot share it with you
At 3 pm, friends visited me to celebrate my birthday with a delicious birthday cake from La Maison and savoy.
I decorated mini Ohina Sama collection.
We laughed till evening.
I thought I would have a quiet day for my birthday two days ago; but it turned out to be a nice weekend.
Thank you my friends and Choco to celebrate my birthday with me.
sonokotchi 