I feel so loved
I received birthday wishes from Japan and overseas.
I received special cattleya named Golden Queen Sonoko under my name.
Birthday presents in person and via post: Japanese traditional sweets and relaxation goods.
Today, it means more than a birthday for me- a special day.
Today I arranged a large scale arrangement!
It was fun😊
Energizing myself; simultaneously, enhancing my life and space.
Despite the COVID, Sakura blooms in Tokyo.
Town was quietly celebrating New Year
Usually we decorate these New Year decorations till 15 January.
However, I saw some were taken away this morning.
Tonight, Japanese government announced the State of Emergency in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and China effective 8 January – 7 February 2021.
We are in high alert now; perhaps, some building owners were concerned engaging staffs to take away New Year decorations at later date.
COVID has been taking away celebrations from us.
Hopefully we can enjoy Ohanami (Sakura Viewing) this spring.
Japanese government encourages us to stay home and work from home.
Unfortunately, as at 23:30 hrs Japan time, I am yet to hear an announcement from my boss allowing us to work from home tomorrow.
I brought back office laptop and others to prepare for working from home; but I need to bring them back. Hummmm
It’s Japanese National Holiday, Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day).
Although the direct translation of Kodomo no Hi is Children,s Day; it is for Boys Day.
We decorate family carps, Kabuto (Japanese Samurai Armor), and etc to wish for health and prosperity.
In addition, we take a bath with Shobu (iris) to wish for winning.
The Iris, Shobu pronounces same as battle.
Taking a bath with Iris brings a health to win the battle.
And I surely want to win against COVID-19!
Choco is a boy so he takes a bath with this, too.
I volunteer to lockdown myself for eight days.
I could continue to stay home on 15 April; however, it’s a nice sunny day and it’s Choco’s birthday.
Originally, I plan to get him a birthday cake but I decided not to due to the current situation.
I plan to take him out for his birthday walk after being lockdown against his will for eight days because of me.
Time to time, he appealed to go for a walk by trying to reach his walk bag which contains necessaries for his walk such as poo poo plastic bags, sanitation spray, pee pads for quick liquid absorption, and more.
I know he would love to have his walk after eight days.
I also plan to go to bank and supermarkets using a precious mask but unfortunately, I cannot take Choco to supermarkets.
Choco was funny (well, it wasn’t funny for Choco).
Since I’ve been with Choco for last eight days, he didn’t check on me when I was getting ready at the powder room.
He suddenly look anxious when he sees me getting fully ready with make up and coming out of the powder room.
I guess I caught him in surprise.
At the evening, I was simply taking my bath, but he positioned himself as if he was watching on me.
He could be serious but I thought he is cute, making me smile.
After settling my chores, I took Choco for his birthday walk.
Yes, he enjoyed it very much!!!
Though, I carry him mostly.
It was a nice day and it’s Choco’s birthday so I took extra miles.
We went to our shrine “Tenso Jinja (Tenso Shrine)” for a pray.
Yaezakura (Sakura with many petals) there is gorgeous.
We also stopped by Green Dog, a pet shop at Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, to get his treats.
And made an appointment for his Complementary Birthday Health Check Up.
I don’t know he would like this, but I want him to take it.
I’m happy to know that he enjoyed his walk very much by looking at him – satisfied?
It’s Choco’s day so I wore these poodles today.
Happy Birthday, Choco!!!
Yesterday, Prime Minister Abe announced a plan to declare the State of Emergency for One Month (8 April – 6 May 2020) on today, 7 April 2020 for following prefectures:
Tokyo Kanagawa Saitama Chiba Osaka Hyogo Fukuoka
JPY 108 trillion Economic Measure etc
By reflecting case records.
Tokyo alone recorded as follows:
117 cases (4 April 2020)
145 cases (5 April 2020)
83 cases (6 April 2020)
We cannot identify the source for about 90% of cases.
My office has decided to work from home today and tomorrow.
This declaration is still requesting bases for self-restraint and doesn’t have any legal enforcement such as an arrest or fine.
Essential services will continue to operate.
We can still go out freely to supermarkets, convenient stores, drug stores, even office as need it.
I don’t have any Corona Tsukare (Corona Depression) because I’ve been commuting office every weekdays and I also had few Corona Sokai (Corona Evacuations) on weekends to enjoy fresh air when premises in Tokyo closed for weekends.
In Roppongi alone, two major shopping complex, Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, closed last two weekends.
Events for Ohanami (Sakura viewing) are cancelled not to create the cluster.
I don’t feel suffocated by Jishuku (self-restrain) or no social life (gyms have been closed, flower arrangement classes have been cancelled/rescheduled, of course no dinner/lunch appointments, etc).
However, I’ve been feeling uncomfortable commuting to office by taking public transportation, subway.
These trains/subways cross other state of emergency prectures (states) such as Kanagawa (Yokohama), Chiba and Saitama.
I won’t have enough distance among other passengers.
It’s not crowded as rush hour train but we are about 50 cm apart or even next each other if I take a seat. (Ooops, I didn’t think of this).
And they are all strangers.
Do we need to take a risk…?
I expressed my worries to my boss because my job can be conducted at home.
Though the declaration of the state of emergency is effective 8 April 2020, the situation is serious now.
I’m happy that I’m free from the stress of catching public transportation today and tomorrow.
I’ve been cheering me up by putting springy nail colours.
Walk in a park with Choco for his walk and Ohanami.
Nonetheless, I’m excited to work from home.
I woke up as usual.
Since I can save commuting time, I took a bath to increase my body temperature to enhance immune system.
Started detoxing
Brewed coffee for starting work.
My father gave me a voucher for Starbucks which validated till 13 April 2020.
I went to Starbucks last weekend but three Starbucks that I visited were closed.
I believe Starbucks might extend the validation date, but I was hesitated to go through the process or even to request for it.
Starbucks was opened yesterday so I bought a French Roast Coffee beans.
I received complementary drink, Kenya and sample of Columbia.
I brewed Columbia and I should start working. hahaha
It’s Ohanami (Sakura viewing) season, but unfortunately, there isn’t any events and social life to avoid creating cluster/crowd.
Now I enjoy spring closely by putting springy colour on my nails. (Fleur De Pecher)
I don’t have any social life for past three weeks.
The weather is getting better in Tokyo, reaching over 20C.
Sakura starts blooming.
I decided to plan a short trip with Choco for refreshment.
Well, Mom followed us.
I thought it would be nice to take Choco for a walk in fresh air in woods.
I still need to avoid contacting people so I decided staying at cottage, Pension Gin No Michi, Hokuto-City, Yamanashi.
The Pension serves dinner and breakfast at cottage so we can avoid people and be with Choco.
Choco doesn’t like to be left alone.
It’s 160 km away from Tokyo and it should take 2.5 hours to reach there.
However, traffic was so heavy….. to go out Tokyo, it took more than 2 hours.
I took a break at highway Hatsukari service area.
I bought Shingen-Mochi and Premium Shingen-mochi Ice Cream and Matcha (Green Tea) Shingen-mochi Ice Cream.
Shingen-Mochi is Kofu (Yamanashi) local confectionery combination of glutinous rice flour mochi, soybean powder and brown sugar syrup.
There are many more products developed by this original Shingen-mochi.
After taking a break, I continued my journey and it took me 4.5 hrs to reach the pension.
We finally reached the Pension.
There are flooring living room connected to a small tatami room (tatami mat room).
Living room is equipped with kitchen.
Then wash room
Bath room
And toilet.
As mentioned, I wanted to take Choco for a walk in woods; however, it was too cold.
In Tokyo, it’s over 20C, so I only brought leather jacket.
It’s only 4C here…
I decided to stay in.
Choco had so many to experience and learn.
I enjoyed home cooked dinner at the room.
The next morning, it was a nice sunny day.
Hopefully, Choco enjoyed fresh air.
I enjoyed home cooked breakfast.
They also baked these breads.
It was a brief stay but very refreshing.
We headed back home.
On the way back, I stopped by at service area for one last glance of Minami (South) Alps and shopping.
The local flower farmer is selling flower bouquet for JPY 1,200 (USD 12) – very reasonable!
Currently, Japanese government encourages people to buy flower because flower business is affected by corona virus.
March supposed to be high demand period for flower for graduation ceremony; however, now almost all schools cancel the graduation ceremony.
I love flowers so I bought one.
I also looked for souvenirs.
There are many Shingen-mochi products.
I bought Shingen-mochi Pudding, Monaka (Wafer and Shingen-mochi (glutinous rice powdered mochi)) and Kit Kat.
I love the original and these are all nice, especially pudding.
It took only 2.5 hours to reach home, meaning there are so many cars on the road yesterday.
I think many of us got board. ahaha
It was very relaxing trip for me.
sonokotchi 