Final post on my trip to Tohoku!

On the last day, i left Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture and headed to Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture.

A lot of people may think that the name “Fukushima” has very negative associations due to the nuclear crisis after 3.11, but Fukushima Prefecture is a HUGE prefecture, and I think it is very sad and unfair that travellers are shunning the entire prefecture because of the bad name it has.

Let’s look at the map of Fukushima.

The place I was heading to, Koriyama, is right in the middle, and it’s a long distance away from where the Daiichi Plant is at Futaba and Okuma. Again, many people are still concerned about the radiation level. read more

This is an extra post on Miyagi Prefecture. During my trip to Tohoku, we visited a strawberry farm in Yamamoto, Miyagi Prefecture for ichigogari (strawberry-picking).

I had such an amazing experience that I decided to make this an entirely separate blog post!

The farm I went to is Ichigo World.

Actually it would be quite misleading to call it a farm, because…

It looks more like a chic studio/lab with a lot of stylish designs and thoughtful decos everywhere.

And the products they carry are not just fresh premium grade ichigo from the farm, but also sparkling wine and skin care range! read more

Junya turns 21 months today. ^^

(Also read  1st month , 2nd month , 3rd month , 4th month , 5th month , 6th month , 7th month,  8th month, 9th month , 10th month , 11th month , 12th month , 13th month , 14th month , 15th month , 16th month , 17th month , 18th months , 19th month and 20th month here.)

After an emotional month, Junya and I are currently traveling/holidaying in Japan. And I am just so glad that we made this trip together. I felt like he has grown a year for the past week. read more

This coming March 11 marks the 5th anniversary of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake that happened in 2011.

It has already been 5 years (I haven’t even met the danna back then!) and until today, it is still an incident everyone talks about here in Japan on a daily basis. The TV channels run daily special features on 3.11 every day now, and I was crying so much watching a documentary about the fire fighter teams in Japan going out for rescue when the disaster happened. Real footages taken on that day itself was shown for the first time on TV. One of the fire fighters lost his wife and child in the morning to Tsunami, but he was still determined to go out and save as many people as he could. T______T. read more

So. I feel like once you become a mother, traveling is like a playing a warlord game, where you have to clear each stage and advance to the next level and sometimes you die (and then undie) in between, with the enemies coming at you all. The. Damn. Time. And random traps wherever you go.

Level 1

Game started when I travelled to Japan in Spring 2014, while I was 7 month pregnant. I could enjoy it like how I did before pregnancy, except that I also had to watch my diet, take enough rest, fuss over my wardrobe and bring extra suit case for all the baby shopping. It was like a trial game to practice for the real deal. read more

After traveling to Iwate Prefecture, my next destination was Miyagi Prefecture.

Going to Sendai from Ninohe by Shinkansen again, which takes about an hour.

Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, and it is also the largest city in Tohoku area. I have actually been to Sendai before on my birthday in 2013.

Loooove Shinkansen rides. Scenic winter view all the way!

This was the breakfast I had in the morning. It’s just so genius to have plates like that for hotel buffet, makes everything looks ultra gourmet! read more

Hello Singapore again!

This is before we leave for Japan next Monday. And I am now back in KL. It really does feel like I am living 3 lives at the same time.

I was trying not to fly too much since I’ve got another 5 flights to make (SG-KL-Narita-Nagasaki-Narita-KL), so we took a night coach from KL, so that Junya also can sleep throughout.

Zzzzz.

Anyway. Since I won’t be going out much (I am getting really, really heavy and walking really, really slow), most of the time I buy groceries and cook at home. read more

It’s been a crazy month with lots of traveling!! After 10 days in Singapore, we are back to KL now, and 3 days later we are flying off to Japan again. This would be my last trip before I have my hands full with two babies.

I’m suddenly getting super heavy now that I am in my third trimester, and our stay in Singapore was just super unhappening one with me resting at home the whole time with Junya. I didn’t even have the mood to cook T___T. Most of the time just tapao or eat out.

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Taste of Tohoku

Valentine’s is over, but do you know about “White Day”?

It’s a Japanese tradition for the girls to have to give chocolates on Valentine’s Day to their boyfriend first!!

And then on White Day (14 March), men who received chocolates on Valentine’s Day are expected to return the favor by giving gifts.

Now there are a few types of Valentine’s choco! Well, chocolates have just got really complicated in Japan XD. How many of them are you familiar with? read more

I have been waiting for this for so long.

I know about Isetan’s upcoming project in KL – a brand new departmental store filled with Japanese high-end labels that range from fashion to interior in Kuala Lumpur. Have anyone of you been to Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo?

If you have, you will probably realize that it is probably the most prestigious departmental store in the entire Tokyo, with the most amazing selection of merchandise and top-notch service. And part of this is gonna be available in KL soon. How exciting is that?! read more

Before I start anything, I just want to share a few comments I got from my post on why I traveled to Tohoku.

I was very touched and I really hope more people will choose to experience for themselves, see with their own eyes and discover the immense beauty of Tohoku, Japan.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for choosing to believe the best, and thank you for supporting Tohoku (and Japan in general!). The people  from the Tohoku region will be so so so happy to know.

Especially Karyn. I remember her because she was very unsure about choosing to work in Japan in fear of safety. I didn’t do much, she simply made the decision herself and I am so, so glad that she is enjoying herself so much 🙂 read more

Everybody’s favorite Sephora has just gone online!!

Want to get your favorite beauty product but it’s too much a hassle to drive to KL? Here’s your answer:

www.sephora.my

On Sephora.my, beauty is now available 24/7.

I was quite pleasantly surprised by the amount of selections they have in the online store already!

I also like the themes they have in conjunction with trending topics or festive seasons. The Valentine’s picks are simply adorable.

The selection will expand over the coming months and even if you can’t find what you need, you will get to shop for your favorite soon enough. read more