Category: Choco-chan

Posted in Beauty, Choco-chan, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, My Flower Arrangement, Restaurants, Surprise, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Birthday Events

Posted on by sonokotchi

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.

Posted in Beauty, Choco-chan, Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Movie, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Travel

Trip to Egypt (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

As usual, I was busy packing till last minutes so I woke up early to continue packing.

This time, I needed to prepare sending Choco to the pet hotel.

I’ve chosen the pet hotel that we took class.

When he arrived at the pet hotel, he seemed happy because he might still remember the staffs; but when he was taken, he looked bit sad…?

I was worried about him, but I received a daily report that he is having fun with friends.

I’m happy for him.

Unlike me, I arrived too early to Narita Airport.

The counter wasn’t opened yet; therefore, I took a drink at Tully’s to relax.

Finally, the counter opened and checked-in.

I wanted to check new collection of cosmetics; but two of them are already sold out. Sigh

I bought one lip stick and one alternative eye shadow.

This time, we used United’s Lounge.

There are less people so peaceful and comfy.

I was told that there aren’t any inflight alcohol serving so that I decided to enjoy Sake before departure.

We took the direct flight from Narita, Tokyo to Cairo, Egypt by Egypt Air.

We were greeted by Guava juice and chocolates.

First I thoughts seats are narrow; however, to my surprise, it’s quite spacious and comfortable because Egyptians are tall.

Though this airlines don’t provide a slippers, but I’m quite happy with varieties of amenities.

Food is European food.

I watched three movies.

I fell sleep for first two movies; however, these were action movies so that I don’t miss much because they were fighting on the movies.

22 Mikes

Peppermint

Lastly, I watched a movie about a woman changing her life by living with Pug: Patrick.

I fully understand her.

I slept and woke up for breakfast.

About to reach Cairo, Egypt.

This map shows places where I would visit such as Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simpbel, etc.

I got excited when I look at it.

It’s quite a distance from Japan… we travelled 10,416 km.

We landed Cairo at 3:30 am.

It was still dark and we continued our trip to Luxor by taking a domestic flight.

Though I continued sightseeing, I should stop Day 1 and continue as next day from here because I spent one night on the plane.

Posted in Art, Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo

Art Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

I went to Suntory Museum of Art (Tokyo Midtown Roppongi 3F) to admire “Kawanabe Kyodai: Nothing Escaped His Brush”.

He was a very imaginative painter: animals move like humans and he also painted many ghosts, goblins and monsters.

He had his own strange world to express.

If you wish to admire his arts, you are advised to take a photo of this promotional board which is placed at 1F of Tokyo Midtown Roppongi to get 100 yen discount from admission fee by showing the photo.

I’m lucky I had few complementary tickets. fufufu

After admiring Japanese paintings, I was in the mood for a Japanese dessert.

But to enjoy seasonal anmitsu (red bean paste and jelly with syrup), Strawberry Anmitsu, at Toraya Cafe (Tokyo Midtown Roppongi B1F.), I had to wait.

This is Japanese traditional dessert cafe, but the system for queue is very modern – computerized.

People before us weren’t there to wait so we managed to get a table fast.

I expected to see strawberry fruit in Anmitsu, but there aren’t any strawberries.

Though, it’s very strawberry because its very strawberry syrup and there are few strawberry jellies.

I’m glad to chose Matcha (thick green tea) to balance the sweetness.

For dinner, I went to Korean Dinning Kosari Tokyo, Akabane, Tokyo.

Choco and I enjoyed Korean BBQ on charcoals.

Choco had grilled chicken.

Posted in Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Very Japanese Sunday

Posted on by sonokotchi

I looked for a restaurant that I can take Choco with me.

We went to Monjayaki Kotobukiya, Tsukishima, Tokyo.

I had Ramune (Soda) for drink.

We started with Gyu-tan Steak (beef tongue steak).

Forgot to take a photo; I also had Sunagimo (gizzard).

Sumagimo is at the up left corner.

Then we had the main dish, Hakata Mentai Mochi Cheese Monja (Hakata fish roe, pounded rice cake and cheese in Monjya Style.)

Monjayaki is local Tsukishima food.

First we cook ingredients.

Then add soup and mix all.

We can eat moist or crispy as we wish.

We also had okonomiyaki, Kansai (Osaka Style Pancake).

Choco was tired waiting for us.

We left Kotobukiya and stopped by at Tsukiji Bon Marche Deli & Bar to get our dessert: matcha (Green Tea) soft cream.

I enjoyed Tsukiji Happy Ice Cream with colourful decoration.

At the dinner time, I had Nabe (cray pot) and Ehomaki (Good Luck Roll).

This is thick and long with many ingredients.

We face good luck direction of the year (East for 2019) and eat this roll.

I also did Mamemaki (throwing soybeans for good luck) by saying “Oni wa Soto, Fukuwa Uchi (Evils out, good luck to come)”.

And at the midnight, I placed this facing good direction of the year (East).

This will make all matters in favors.

According to old Japanese calendar, 3 February was the New Year; therefore, we have so many tradition to wish for good luck today.

Posted in Choco-chan, Feelings, Friends, Hotel, Place, Shop, Tokyo, Work

Pet Hotel @ Green Dog, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi

Posted on by sonokotchi

I wanted to come back home earlier to spend more time with Choco but I couldn’t due to a last minutes preparation for business trip to Fukui tomorrow.

I took Choco a walk before reaching to the pet hotel, Green Dog Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

He was happy and excited when we reached there.

He might have thought we went there for shopping.

He even asked to go down to play.

It was time for me to pass Choco.

I was half crying.

Now I’m alone at home for the first time since you joined to my life.

He usually takes my slipper away.

He usually asks me to go to the bed after 11 pm.

Tonight I’m going to the bed alone.

I miss you so much!

Be good; I will rush back home the day after tomorrow.

Posted in Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Shopping, Work

31 December 2018 (Omisoka: New Year’s Eve)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s omisoka for Japanese and we supposed to be at home to prepare welcoming New Year.

However, my boss (foreigner) didn’t approve my leave (Japanese) because he took holiday since 21 December 2018.

My boss approved all other Japanese staffs to take leaves so I was alone in the office.

I could be the only person in the building as well.

Luckily, boss called to inform me I’m allowed to close the office at 3 pm.

The town was quiet and deserted.

I rushed back home because I was expecting my niece for New Year holiday.

She changed in a dress that we bought for her.

She likes blue princess look dress which Mom chose for her than black and red lady look dress which I picked for her.

We all (including Choco) stayed up late till midnight to welcome New Year together.

We greeted

Akemashite Omedetogozaimasu

(Happy New Year!)

Now I manage to update what I left out in December 2018 because I was sick.

Now I’m back on track and hope you would continue enjoying my blog.

Posted in Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

30 December 2018

Posted on by sonokotchi

My relatives who owns rice fields always prepare mochi (pounded sticky rice) for new year.

I enjoy their mochi very much because rice are so fresh and chemical free.

It tastes much much much better than commercial ones.

Today, I cannot eat mochi and brown rice that are sold at supermarkets.

I need to get my supply from my relative.

This time, I took Choco with me.

It’s his first time to ride for long hours: 2 hours straight.

I’m glad that he slept in the car for both ways.

It was a nice sunny day.

I drove through Kujukuri where it plans to be a surfing tournament place for Tokyo Olympics 2020.

We can see the construction going on and there is a nice beach and waves for surfing.

I brought my apron but there were enough people to work on; I left it with experts.

I just enjoyed eating them.

What a good job that I had!

My other cousins were busy grilling yakitori (skewered chicken).

I took my portion of mochi and uncle’s.

I delivered mochi to the uncle who couldn’t make it today.

He was so surprised and happy when I showed up with fresh mochi.

He treated me Sukiyaki (beef pot).

He was so happy that he couldn’t stop talking.

His smiling face made me happy as well.

It was a nice day because I met my loving relatives and Choco behaved well.