Category: Friends

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 Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Travel, Work

Business Trip to Fukui (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

We took early Shinkansen (bullet train) to depart for Fukui as early as 7:33 am.

Therefore, I took a breakfast on the train knowing it will be three hours journey to Maibara Station to change to Shirasaki Express Train; it takes four hours to reach Fukui.

The sample looked nice and packed, but when I opened it…I was surprised how it looks….ah empty…?

When we reached Maibara Station, we rushed to the platform for Shirasagi Express Train because we didn’t have much time.

From the window of Shirasagi, we can spot snow here and there.

Nonetheless, we arrived Fukui safely and started our programme for today: networking lunch and seminar.

Since I acted as host and secretariat so that I refrained myself for taking photos but moved around the floor.

After the event, we had a dinner at Japanese Restaurant Tachibana, 2F, Yours Hotel, Fukui.

I was looking forward for the local specialty, Echizen Crab.

We also had Kaiseki (Japanese course menu) while waiting for crab.

Then tadaaaaaa crab

Then noodle and dessert.

I ate for few days potion today.

I definitely need to exercise more. haaaa

We had all events at Yours Hotel, Fukui and finally I returned to room for resting.

At the room, I opened gifts from guests.

These are Fukui local special crafts.

From left, Fukui plum castella (cake), Mayu (cocoon) cosmetics and abalone shell decoration chopsticks.

So nice!

It’s getting late and I found a foot massage machine at the closet.

I tried it to relax my feet in the room.

I can have a good sleep tonight.

Oyasuminasai

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 Beauty, Feelings, Friends, Health, Place, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Nice Things

Posted on by sonokotchi

I was looking for a room fragrance and I would say this is the aroma of wine!

When I walked by the shop (IDEE SHOP, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi), the aroma reminded me nice full body wine.

The fragrance is very berries: thick, sweet, and spicy.

Please try

Dr. Vranjes Rosso Nobile, Firenze, Italy

I also received nice spa set, Tanamera Spa, Malaysia.

I will try them out to improve my beauty!

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Food, Friends, Place, Shop, Tokyo

Bourgogne Red Wine Seminar @ Enoteca Marunouchi Lounge

Posted on by sonokotchi

This is my fourth wine seminar.

I finally start understanding what Sensei (teacher and sommelier) is saying or lecturing.

Today I tasted five glasses and they are

2014 Morey-Saint-Denis

2016 Chambolle-Musigny

2015 Volnay

2016 Francois Lumpp

2015 Cote de Brouilly

The very right glass is Beaujolais.

Beaujolais wine is very popular among Japanese so I usually have a glass or more every season.

Today. this glass surprised me.

It is whitish, must be bottom portion of bottle, and smell of ANIMAL like Jibie.

The smell is so strong; therefore, I couldn’t finish a glass…

I am not exaggerating; my friends agreed!

After the lesson, my friend gave me these souvenirs from Seoul.

So sweet of her!

Posted in Choco-chan, Exercise, Experience, Feelings, Food, Friends, Place, Tokyo

Christmas 2018

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’ve been sick and I’ve been sleeping.

I’ve done what I should do in Christmas such as watching Christmas illuminations (I’ve watched Tokyo Midtown Roppongi and Marunouchi), are a whole chicken which I bought from COSTCO the other day and decorated the house for Christmas; but I totally forgot to plan my Christmas on Christmas Day.

The blessing were I received Christmas gifts from the States and Choco is here to keep me a company.

I dressed Choco up to Santa.

Choco Santa with Reindeer

But he doesn’t want to wear Santa clothing.

He won’t move with Santa outfit.

Well, there are many people outside to see Christmas illuminations at Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

The management of Tokyo Midtown Roppongi even placed fences to manage the crowd.

To cut through the line, I need to get a special pass for it.

In 2018, I had only gym session for Christmas event on 25 December 2018 at 6 pm.

I dressed up and put make up as if I’m going out for dinner because my gym session was at dinner time.

Next Christmas, I will plan better by not getting sick.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Restaurants, Tokyo

Punched Out at 4:30 PM

Posted on by sonokotchi

The meeting ended at 4:30 pm.

Boss allowed me to leave office together with a staff of sister organization.

We went for drink and I mean DRINK.

We had a glass of champagne and a parfait at LEXUS Cafe, Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.

These were delicious and champagne made me very happy and talkative.

We chatted happily! fufufu