Category: Art

Posted in Art, Choco-chan, Exercise, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Tokyo

Stay Home: Walk (Street Painting Project @ Roppongi Tunnel)

Posted on by sonokotchi

When I take Choco out for a walk (or shall I say carry because he like to be carried), I try to take him a different route.

Yes, I walk at the park often but I try the path reversing it the next day hoping to look different for Choco.

Today, we went out when it’s still bright out.

I walked a path that I haven’t tried before.

It became an exciting adventure for me as well.

It led us to the other side of Nogizaka Station or Route 319.

I walked through Roppongi Tunnel where Street Painting Project was conducted by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

There are five street paintings.

Sometime I pass it quickly by car.

Today, I walked to see each paintings.

Now I can go for a walk when it’s still bright.

Where to try tomorrow?

Posted in Art, Experience, Feelings, Friends, Music, Surprise

Stay Home: Home Theatre (The Phantom of the Opera)

Posted on by sonokotchi

My BFF informed me there would be free show on the Phantom of the Opera on YouTube to entertain people at home due to COVID.

I’ve seen it at the theatre before so I didn’t expect much.

But I was wrong, VERY WRONG!

I watched it on TV for a bigger screen and it was AWSOME.

I get excited as if I were at the theater.

I watched it twice.

The first show, I was overwhelmed and cried.

The second show, I paid attention to details.

Then, I found English subtitle appears on YouTube app on my iPhone.

I watched my favorite scenes with subtitles

This 25th Anniversary of the Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall show is special and MUST WATCH if you still have an access because it’s only available for 48 hours!

Well, I also enjoyed the additional surprise at very last very much so it is highly recommended to watch till very last.

Posted in Art, Feelings, Food, Friends, Work

Special Home Cooked Malaysian Lunch

Posted on by sonokotchi

I was invited for home cooked Malaysian lunch!

It’s all done by one individual and he is not a professional chef; he is a corporate officer!

It’s nicely presented and it’s not only the look; I admit it’s delicious and even better than restaurants!

He will soon finish his term in Japan and to return to his headquarter.

We supposed to organize the Good Luck gathering for him but he invited us for his home cooked lunch instead.

It was nice working with you on projects and hope to see you soon for good laughs.

Matane! (See you soon!)

Posted in Art, Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Food, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture

Oshogatsu (New Year)

Posted on by sonokotchi

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!

Posted in Art, Cooking, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Mt. Fuji, Shrine and Temple, Tokyo, Work

Akemashiteomedetogozaimasu (A Happy New Year)

Posted on by sonokotchi

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!