I went to clinic and was informed I’m having a flue not influenza.
I received medicines.
I started feeling better; therefore, I went to Takashimaya Nihonbashi Main Store to collect reserved cosmetics: Spring Summer 2020 Collection which I need to collect them by 9 January 2020.
I also asked beautician to try new colour on me.
Chance (Perfume) for Hair
I tried Hair Oil on….nice…
I ended up buying more….
I will try new look on me for coming Spring and Summer!
I have wavy hair but not in stylish way, more like damaged hair look.
Therefore, I either use straight iron to straighten my hair or hot curlers to curl my hair.
To maintain these look, I use Aujua (in pink bottle) for silky straight hair and Ann (in blue bottle) for lasting curls.
These are effective!
I’m feeling sick; therefore, I bought two of this energy drink: Yunker Emperor DCF Caffeineless.
One for tonight/now and another for tomorrow morning.
Oyasuminasai
At year end, on 20 December 2019, I visited Izumo Roppongi Betsuin (Izumo Shrine Roppongi Branch) in Roppongi for pray.
I wanted to welcome New Year freshly.
The second largest shrine, Izumo Taisha, is located in Izumo-City, Shimane.
This is Roppongi Branch.
I brought back Izumo no Kamishio (direct translation is Izumo’s God Salt); this is purifying salt.
My brother transferred his flue to me so that I’m not feeling well.
To ease my day, I purified myself to calm down myself this morning before I left for work.
I just want to go back home.
It was my first day of work in 2020; luckily, I could punched out at 5 pm sharp.
It was too short to catch up with my friend who is currently returned to Tokyo for holiday over the dinner.
I cooked easy-to-prepare dinner: Buta Shabu Nabe (pork clay pot) with various Kinoko (mushrooms).
She is so sweet by bring me new supply of Peet’s Coffee and many more foodies from LA!
Arigatogozaimasu!
On 3rd January, I visited my uncle.
We had afternoon tea and Domino Pizza for dinner.
He is a mint collector and showed me his new collection: Previous Emperor’s 30th Anniversary Memorial Coin.
And New Emperor’s Coronation Memorial Coin.
He promised to give me a coin when I visit him.
This time, he gave me Tokyo Olympics Badminton coin.
On 4th and 5th January, I was like this…my brother transferred his flue and I feel sickly tired.
My Oshogatsu holiday is ending. Boo hoo.
I’ll go back to office tomorrow for the first working day in 2020.
Let’s enjoy 2020!
I worked till 31 December 2019 on New Year’s Eve.
It was so quiet in Ginza.
I could be only one working in my office building.
Even Japanese government office close from 28 December – 3 January to celebrate New Year.
My boss called and allowed me to leave earlier; I left happily at 2:45 pm.
I was feeling sentimental looking at last sunset of 2019.
I went to pick up my niece.
The road was clear so there was no traffic.
I wanted to surprise her so I decorated her room with balloons while she was taking a bath.
I succeeded it!
She was so excited!
I also took a bath to welcome new year freshly.
We ate soba (buckwheat noodle) for tradition, wishing for a long life like soba.
It turned midnight…we greeted Akemashite omedetogozaimasu and A Happy New Year then popped a party cracker!
We all got excited for a while and went to bed at 1:30 am.
I woke up lazily on Gantan (New Year Day).
Most of shops and restaurants closed today.
We ate Osechi (New Year Dishes) for brunch.
Each dish has a meaning.
For example, Kurikintoki which is made by sweet potato and its colour in gold means wishing to have gold (richness), etc, etc.
And Ozoni (chicken, vegetables and mochi/rice cake in soup)
After brunch, we paid a visit to our family shrine, Tenso Jinja (Tenso Shrine) for New Year prayer.
I wrote my wish on Ema (Wish Designed Board) and I used this picture for my New Year Greeting eCard.
We had a break after returned from the shrine.
Niece and I made Monaka.
We fill Anko (sweet bean paste) on monakanokawa (monaka shell/wafer).
We can adjust the amount of anko.
There are ume (plum) and fukuro (owl) shapes.
Based on astronomy, I believe nothing much of difference from yesterday’s; however, it is the first sunset on New Year’s Day.
I look forward for more adventures in 2020!
Akemashiteomedetogozaimasu!
sonokotchi 