It’s 2019! Here’s a little recount of events of my journey with Cheesiepetit of the entire year of 2018. I spent one whole day scrolling through the photos feeling all nostalgic. They have grown so much in just one year! (Take note of Junya and Sakura’s hair hahaha.) Also, can you believe it? I have over 50,000 photos and videos stored in my phone!!

This post is also about Cheesiepetit’s journey with MamyPoko, without which I wouldn’t have such a smooth-sailing year when it comes to all things diaper related, since we traveled almost every single month!

Here goes!

January

Exactly one year ago, check out how tiny Sakura was! She looks still like a baby especially with that onsie!

Her first molar also erupted on 8 January ^^

Diaper size also upgraded from M to L! ^^

That was the special MamyPoko Tsum Tsum edition for Extra Dry Skin Pants!

February

I remember February to be a really busy month. I was solo-parenting most of the month, basically just spent the whole day cooking 3 meals haha. It was also CNY time!

I also remember Sakura being very emo. Every time I said no to something she wanted but cannot have, she would go hide at a corner and sulk. This is her trying to squeeze between the gap of the cabinet and fridge unsuccessfully.

March

In March we had a two-week family trip to Gold Coast, Australia! That’s me packing for Cheesiepetit. I picked MamyPoko Air Fit pants for the trip as it is really the longest-lasting, comfiest diapers best made for traveling! I managed to fit 2 weeks worth of diapers for both kids into the luggage with no problem as it’s really soft and light!

Love the Gold Coast weather in March. Cooling, but not chilly.

We had lots of sunshines, beach and sea!

April

April is my favorite month of the year. Because cherry-blossom! We were back to Japan for a long holiday, and we caught cherry blossom just in time.

Sakura and everything sakura! Hanami dango, sakura cookies and senbei, sakura mochi. ^^

We also traveled to Tohoku area which was extra cold. Sakura was wearing a really cute onesie from GAP (which was actually a Junya’s hand-me-down) but it was a huge mistake. Guess why?

The buttons. Ahhhhh. Imagine having to change her diaper!!! No more GAP onsies, guys.

This was Nyuto Onsen in Akita prefecture. There was lots of snow!

The kids were all wrapped up in many layers (heat tech, sweater, leggings, down jackets), changing diaper is also a hassle. I remember those days I only changed Sakura’s diaper once because it’s too cold! By the end of the day her diaper would be super heavy, but no leakage thanks to MamyPoko’s super absorbency!

May

We returned to Singapore’s super hot and humid weather from snowy land. Check out that amount of sweat!!! Sakura sweats really, really a lot. Her pillow and the bed sheet will have a big wet patch even when aircon is on and she sleeps topless. I let her wear MamyPoko Extra Dry Skin which absorbs sweat super quick and keep bacteria at bay and we avoided diaper rash.

On 11th, Sakura turns 2 years old!!!

June

On 11th Junya turned 4 years old!!

We were also back to Tokyo for a short trip.

With my favorite sight of Tokyo.

July

July was Bali. When I think about it, we really travel a lot and have to get used to all kinds of sudden climate change and an extensive wardrobe for all weather.

August

August was a tough month because right after Junya recovered from his mysterious fever, Sakura has hers. She was unwell for 4 days and her fever came and go.

Cranky cranky cranky and refused to eat too T___T.

Nori was the only thing she would eat T__T.

After she recovered, it was time for another trip again. I’m making them pack their own travel bags.

Water bottle, snacks, their favorite toys, sunblock, change of diaper.

Off to Bali again!

Hello!

Junya was being very helpful to help his sister change diaper. You see how she just relaxed there haha.

He’s doing a great job! Thank you Junya!

September

In September we were back to Tokyo. The weather had cooled down a little and it was time for sweaters again.

It was quite a challenge to keep them entertained in our tiny apartment as we didn’t bring many toys. That time Sakura was into Pokochan, and coloring. Other than that TV was my savior. Bless the Japanese entertaining kids programs!

October

Autumn mood!!

More diapers for our upcoming trips!

We were in Japan too. The kids love staying in ryokan with the children-friendly tatami and Sakura loves to tuck herself into the comfy futons. ^^

We went to Yamagata for fruits picking!

Also, after a long break, Junya has started his new school this month!

November

Sakura wasn’t schooling so I stayed with her at home most of the time while niinii went to school. I remember not having much time spent with the kids because I was swamped with work trips all of the sudden.

I took this photo to shoutout for the MamyPoko Japan Fiesta contest where the winner wins a family trip to Japan!!

It won’t be long before the kids start proper schooling and we won’t be able to travel like this anymore. Now is really the chance to enjoy enriching their early lives with different travel experiences. Japan is always a favorite. Hope whoever wins the grand prize will enjoy Japan with your little one(s)!

December

It’s been one whole year! Look at my little princess who grew so much compared to the first photo! This is our last vacation of the year, in fact we spent our new year here at Bali.

Junya tries pool-surfing haha.

Sakura has upgraded her diaper size from L to XL and Junya to XXL. Also Sakura’s favorite buddies now are Pokochan and Piglet.

She still enjoys being spoilt by niinii a little when it comes to diaper changing ^^

That’s all for 2018. A big thanks to MamyPoko for making our daily life and frequent travels so much easier. Hope everyone had a great new year and a fantastic 2019 ahead!

My previous posts on Okayama:

1. Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
2. Affordable shopping
3. Kojima

In my previous post, you already read that Kojima of Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture is the birth place of Japan-made jeans.

Today’s post is about this unique street dedicated to all denim lovers, and it is called Kojima Jeans Street – where the first pair of domestically-produced jeans was born.

After visiting this place and Betty Smith (more later), I turned to Arisa who helped organize this trip, and said to her, “Die liao. I don’t know how many blog posts I will end up writing about just Okayama.”

True enough, this is the 4th blog post and I’m still not done with Okayama yet. Maybe just half way through. But I knew that for Kojima Jeans Street, it deserves a whole dedicated blog post on its own.

So here goes.

You will not miss the street from afar, just spot this huge denim sign and you will know you’re here at the holy land of jeans in Japan.

So how did the history of jeans start in this little street?

To summarize the history, it was to do with cotton cultivation. Kojima’s geographical location by the sea is making its soil too salty for rice farming, but perfect to grow cotton. And since then with its fluffy, premium quality cotton, Okayama has always had a strong reputation in the textile industry of Japan, traced all theway back to the samurai period where sanadahimo was made for Japanese swords, and hakama for samurais.

The business flourished into the modern era and Kojima became the textile hub where most of the nation’s school uniforms were made.

The first pair of jeans was made in 1965 by a manufacturer called Big John with a huge success, and soon more jeans maker joined the trend and turn Kojima into the mecca of Japan-made denim.

It was a holiday when I visited so many shops were closed but it was nontheless a really inspiring walk through the street.

Even without shopping, just enjoying all the little creative details of this denim town is delightful.

If you are in the mood, try the “Indigo Soft Cream”! It says that it is salted vanilla flavor topped with blue powder. If you ever try it let me know how it taste like. ^^

Vending machine dressed in denim.

Jeans-clad public astray.

Even the asphalt was painted indigo resembling the pride produce of this little town. I was deeply impressed.

You’ll see jeans hanging up high between the streets and I was wondering what happens when it rains!

Denim enthusiasts or not, one can definitely appreciate the passionate expression that decorated this little unique street.

Betty Smith Jeans Museum & Village

If you are looking for more than just creative art expressions and Instagenic photo spots and want to seriously delve into the Japan culture of craftsmanship (plus some really good shopping), I’d recommend a visit to the really impressive Betty Smith Jeans Museum – it is so huge that it is literally a small village.

It is founded in 1962 and is currently the only jeans museum in Japan.

Musuem I

There are many big denim names in Kojima, including Momotaro Jeans (who produces some of the most expensive jeans in Japan!) , Japan Blue and Betty Smith is one of them.

Little red-haired Betty Smith greets you at the entrance. She’s the face on the logo you will see on all the products here.

The “museum” is more than what I expected, with every single corner creatively expressed to spark an interest even for the non-savvy.

Here you will see lots of elements that connect back to its America origin, including priced vintage pieces, sewing machines, etc.

Go upstairs and you will find a space where you get spoilt for choice ordering a custom-made jeans.

Here you can get your measurements done, select the fabric and accessories, and even the treatment process you wish to have in order to custom-make your very own only-one-in-the-world pair of denim.

A  good pair of jeans does take weeks to come to life if you custom-make one, so if you are visiting Kojima and leaving Japan soon, the good news is they do take international order and will be able to to deliver the pair of jeans to your home address!

This little loft is so full of vintage rustic charm I can imagine it used for magazine fashion shoots!

Factory

This is the sewing factory. I as told that it remains the same as the first day it started other than its refurbished facade, and can you believe that every single pair of jeans is hand-sewn with sewing machines?

You can observe the working process through the window of this factory.

Museum II

There’s an even larger museum in the village, where you can learn about the history of Japan-made jeans.

You will learn about how jeans were cut and washed, you can also have a hands-on experience of jeans-making for a fee!

Go along further and you will learn about the fashion history and trends of Japanese denim, and signature pieces of each era from brands like Big John and Betty Smith’s own are on display too.

This is apparently the uniform of Bobson’s Race Queen in the 90s!! How nostalgic.

Make Your Own Denim!

I really hoped that I had more time here so I can make my very own pair of jeans. Here’s something you shouldn’t miss if you come all the way here to Kojima!

Here are some of the little mini workshops you can join to experience the work of a jeans craftsman. You can buy a pair of original jeans here and experience the customization process – make your very own pair of jeans!

Due to time limitation, I was only able to experience a keychain strap making.

Picking buttons to be pressed on.

It was a super quick experience, quite fun nontheless. It’s always nice to have something customize and hand-made!

You can do it for a small fee so it makes perfect souvenirs to bring back home too.

Spotted one One Piece collab!

Betty Smith Outlet

Next up is everyone’s favorite – shopping time! Seriously, don’t leave empty hand when you come to Kojima!

The goods sold at the outlets are directly from its factory so you can expect the best quality at a low price.

Check out all the ultra cute denim goods such as this 2019 calendar! For only 500 yen.

Lots of adorable accessories too.

You can also find rare gems on the sales rack, where pairs of jeans are sold at crazy cheap prices due to “slight defects”, which is explained in a little lable on the jeans (location of the defect, and the nature of it). I bought this pair of corduroy cream denim for only 500 yen, and when Japanese say “defects” it doesn’t mean anything lol (some are so tiny I couldn’t even spot). Just treat them as a pair of vintage and all defects become its charms.

Love the denim tote bags and pouches too.

Garden

Betty Smith is a true village. Here’s a garden you can relax at, there is even a Dog Run (a playground for your furry pals!).

And its very own car. (The car seats are made of denim!)

Back home

Matching tees and denim from Betty Smith.

Yes, with fast fashion and such, we can easily buy a pair of jeans for just a couple of small bank notes but we also know that a good pair of jeans lasts forever. In fact, the longer you wear it the more you will come to love it, with fades and creases in the fabric making it truly yours.

Betty Smith is the place for you to find that piece to dye for (haha). I hope it will be the place you encounter the pair of denim that will last you a lifetime.

The theme for the second half of 2018 and continuing into 2019 for me, is “Love Myself”.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. I know it’s true. There were some really dark moments earlier this year that rendered me incapable of feeling any sort of joy. I felt unloved from the world and I wasn’t capable of giving any either. I knew I couldn’t let it consume my whole soul, and slowly I tried to climb my way out of it.

If you follow my journey for the past few months, you know I have been actively working again, traveling again, exploring new places, splurging on good food (sushi, sushi!!), and making effort to look beautiful again. I feel that my cup slowly gets filled up and I can start pouring again. 🙂

One of my goals this year was to achieve fuller, bouncier looking skin (after substantial weight loss). There are a few things I did –

1. Eat more.

2. Went for facial fillers

3. Extra inner care – collagen replenishment.

So this post is about my collagen replenishment with Collagen Re Force by ORBIS.

You already know I don’t do a lot of reviews on beauty/health products because I think it’s really subjective, and that I am selective and careful. I have consumed this product for months before this review.

There are soooo many different collagen products in the market, and I think a lot of them are very good ones too. But Collagen Re Force has a few benefits that put it in an advantage as a top pick for me:

1. I trust the brand

Other than collagen drink, I am also using their skin care ranges (super love the Powder Wash+!), and taking their supplements (Vitamin C, Calcium) since early this year. It’s a very established brand from Japan (ORBIS is as old as I am!!), with many products winning multiple cosme awards, and cares for the environment and people (with its tree plantation activities and reconstruction support for affected areas hit by disasters).

2. It comes as a delicious drink in a bottle

Most collagen products come in sachet or powder form. It’s a challenge to continue consuming because I often feel can’t find a good beverage to mix the powder with, and I get tired of the taste soon.

Since collagen is something you should take daily, I recommend choosing a collagen product that you think you can consume the most frequently, easily and conveniently.

When it is in a tiny bottle, it makes consumption ultra convenient. I already have a habit of buying bottles of beauty or energy drinks from the combini whenever I visit Japan, so this makes it just a simple routine every day right in my own home.

How does it taste like?

I love it! It has a fruity flavor of “La France” pear, a very luxurious fruit grown in Yamagata Prefecture. It has a very aromatic, sweet fragrance which makes Collagen Re Force almost like a alcoholic dessert wine just before bed time.

I store the bottles in the fridge because it taste even better chilled! I have an extra small fridge dedicated just for it haha.

My daily routine – a bottle of Collagen Re Force before bed, for beautiful skin.

3. Super high collagen content

When you purchase collagen products next time, do take note on the amount of collagen peptides it contains. Most collagen products has a range of 1500mg-6000mg. And Collagen Re Force has a whopping 10,000mg! That’s the highest I’ve seen in collagen products. We all need collagen more than we think, as it’s not only just about our skin. Our bones, hair, nails, and joints will all need the benefits of having a collagen boost.

4. A Double Approach

We all know that our collagen levels deplete over time as we age as our body’s natural production of collagen begins to slow down, so we will need to replenish it in some way.

Many collagen products are focusing solely on replenishing, but Collagen Re Force does extra – Replenish X Reproduce.

Replenishment alone is not enough. Many people have said that consuming collagen doesn’t work, and that is because simply consuming is not sufficient as collagen is constantly prone to damage. Age, and other external factors such as UV rays stimulate the production of collagen-degrading enzymes which causes collagen damage too.

To counter that, first you need a collagen that is very easily absorbed by the body. As Collagen Re Force contains an abundant 10,000mg of collagen peptides which are micro-sized molecules,, it makes absorption and replenishment very effective.

Secondly, to supplement the intake of collagen, Lemon Balm Extract in Collagen Re Force helps the body to reproduce healthy collagen by supporting the process of breaking down damaged collagen to be reused for generating new and healthy collagen.

So it sounds like now you have a good cycle to help you constantly support the production of collagen in your body.

Furthermore, Long Pepper Extract also protects the blood vessels to ensure smooth delivery of collagen to required areas of the body, while Vitamin C, one of the most important component will promote collagen synthesis.

And you get all of these in one single bottle.

But, you know what is even more convenient?

Collagen Jelly

Collagen Jelly in a stick!! I bring this with me when I travel because it is so super tiny and convenient!

This super yummy fruity jelly comes in two flavors – Citron & Lemon and White Grape.

It contains 1,000mg of collagen, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B6. Not as powerful as Collagen Re Force in terms of collagen volume but it’s perfect as an on-the-go beauty snack! It’s also fat-free and low in calorie so that makes it an even better sweet fix than your usual candies and gummies.

You can take 1 to 2 sachets daily, and have it as a tasty afternoon snack!

And now the million dollar question is – is this whole collagen trend worth the money?

Honestly, one of the most difficult things about reviewing beauty/health product is to determine how effective the product is, and usually the result is very personal and subjective.

For me, I can’t precisely tell you how many wrinkles have disappeared from my body or how much bouncier my skin has been resembling a trampoline (I really wish there’s some way to measure all these! Then we can tell for sure that something is working).

But what I can say is that, I feel positive taking Collagen Re Force continuously. It has become a little luxurious treat for myself daily, a booster to help me advance on my “Love Myself” journey, and I love it enough to want to continue taking it. I am quite content with how my skin has been recently, it could be the collagen, it could also be just because I feel happier now.

Collagen Re Force is available at ORBIS stores, counters and online. It is priced at S$56 (50mL x 10 bottles). If you are an ORBIS member (membership is free with any purchase!), you can purchase Collagen Re Force at $49 per box (U.P. $56) and $142/ 3 boxes (U.P. $168). The promotion is valid until 24 January 2019. I’d recommend 3 boxes to try out for a month (see my fridge is all stocked up with Collagen Re Force!) and see how you feel about it. 🙂

Cheesie-only winter Tokyolife.

My last trip to Japan of the year. Also my 48th visit to Japan. I was there to experience Tokyo Sightseeing Taxi and it’s super awesome! Will share more on this real soon.

This post is about random things during my week long adventure in Tokyo.

Flight

Night flight with JAL. So pretty! Bird’s eye view of Kuala Lumpur. Spotted the twin towers too. It always feels surreal to stare down at a dazzling city in the night from up in the sky. Everything feels too 渺小.

Accommodation with HomeAway 

First thing was accommodation. The previous work trips I stayed in the hotels provided but this time I decided to go with HomeAway! It’s quite a long stay, it would be nice to have a bigger personal space and also be able to do some laundry so I can bring less outfits.

This is the URL to the apartment I was staying at! It looks exactly as it is in the photos. It is probably pricy for just one person (and because it is peak season), but there are two bedrooms so it can accommodate four. Also I really needed a place that’s convenient for my work and this apartment has a perfect location – Harajuku!

First bedroom.

Second bedroom.

A wardrobe for my clothes. These are all I have for one week! Haha. Not including shopping for new clothes :P.

View from apartment. If you walk straight from this little path, in 1 minute you will arrive at ABC Mart (next to La Foret) in Harajuku.

If you walk the other way out, you will walk straight into the middle of Takeshita street.

You guys can download the “HomeAway” from app store! It’s really easy to search for a listing with the filter and map to narrow down the choices. ^^

Now you can even select to draw and highlight an area you want to stay!

Like this!

Coordinate

Coordinate 1

Coordinate 2

Coordinate 3

Coordinate 4

Coordinate 5

Coordinate 6

Eat Tokyo

Matsuzaka Ushi Kaiseki Shin 松阪牛懐石「真

Dinner with Pearleen my new friend haha.

I wrote about this on IG. It’s really such a luxurious meal with good value! 9 course including Matsuzaka beef sukiyaki, shabu shabu, steak and sushi at only 13,000 yen (about SGD157. I think in SG you eat a few slices of Matsuzaka beef already $200 liao.). We were telling the restaurant boss that he’s charging too cheap! Haha. Faster go visit before he increase price (just joking).

Look at that. I mean, STARE at that.

Matsuzaka beef sushi. As if that’s not luxurious enough so they must top it with caviar and sea urchin.

CHOYA Cocktail Bar

A CHOYA umeshu pop up bar in Ginza! Happening until end of the year only. Here for 4000 yen you get to order unlimited cocktails (there are a total of 50 types!!!), drink until you drop AND also enjoy a 6 course dinner at the same time!

I was telling the CHOYA manager that the pricing was too cheap lol. Japan is really too cheap for the quality it is giving to the world.

CHOYA tasting series. Did you know that there’s organic CHOYA too? (Third from left)

All the dishes are also specially created to pair with CHOYA. ^^

Cutest dessert plate! So much effort! 😀 Thank you CHOYA!

Pearleen very 强!!! Next time drink again!

Christmas Date

Tokyo is romantic in winter time full of night illuminations. My pre-Christmas date was RinRin.

But it’s really a little lonely if it’s just you under those sparkly Christmas lights. Haha.

But I’m in Tokyo. I’m thankful for that.

Off day RinRin still super cute <3.

Baby Yuria who invited me to fashion party <3

Last Autumn Scene

Also managed to enjoy a last autumn scene of 2018.

Beauty

My “Love Myself” journey continues. Eat well, look good, sleep enough. Japan has infinite beauty potential, it’s really a pity some of the best skills and technology is not well known elsewhere in the world.

This time I tried Eyebrow Art Make and Kogao Adjustment.

My new eyebrows. You like?

Kidding! Here’s immediately after Art make by Kaori at MedicalBrow Omotesando branch. It will get about 50% lighter after a week. I wanted it to be super super natural that it looks like I have no eyebrow make up on when suppin (no-make),  instead of looking like I have perfectly drawn eyebrows on naked face, you get what I mean??

I have posted on IG before on 3 Dec, you can refer to it!

Next is Kogao Adjustment with Be Kogao Salon.

Get smaller face with head and face massage. Zero pain.

After just one session! The most significant difference is my jaw because it was senget (misaligned).

Also posted on IG about this on 9 Dec.

Shopping Time

I love alone shopping time. The best.

Don’t have to consider your companion’s feeling (am I taking too long? Is he/she interested in anti-shock bracelets and organic apple cider and sparkling medicated bath salt and mouth ulcer sticker?) and you can just… drown in your own world. Until your luggage (or credit card, either one.) explodes then only you start worrying about it.

Christmas presents for cheesiepetites. Poopy Hiragana practice book, Ricca Chan magnet sticker box, Christmas song book and Shinkansen sticker map book!

Brainwash time

Brainwash time – for people who still think eating in Japan is expensive. This is beef steak curry rice. It is 690 yen (About SGD8). Located inside of Ryogoku Station.

Hakata Amao for only 580 yen. All angmoh from Europe is gonna come telling me strawberries in their home country is only 2 euro for a whole basket haha. But hey, Ichigo is not strawberry. Let me just make that very clear haha.

Organic Groceries

Yeap.

You all already know I go crazy on my last day in Japan with groceries. Like REAL GROCERIES. Broccolis, loaf of bread and stuff like that.

So! Many people have asked me where I get organic groceries from. I go to Natural House in Aoyama. They have many stores all over Tokyo and the Aoyama branch is just a few second’s walk from Omotesando Station B4 exit.

(From my HomeAway apartment you can either take the train from Meiji Jingumae station to Omotesando Station but you may as well walk. (I totally did that.) OR, you can take a cab, I mean, you’d better, with all that groceries and no boyfriends with huge biceps around to help. It’s 410 yen for a cab ride. Not bad!)

Their organic selection is really extensive! From vegetables, fruits, dry food such as rice and noodle and dashi/instant food to snacks and even skin care. Even the “unhealthy food” like bacon & sausages are healthier. Low salt, no additive and all that. Recommended for a short (or very long like mine) visit.

Instant food from Muji. For emergency hunger and shit-mom moments.

The next million dollar question.

Q: How the hell do you bring all these back?

A: Liddis.

Just shove all of them in your luggage.

Q:Won’t they get squished? 

A: With a bit of skill, no. Except Ichigo. I hand carry all ichigo back.

Q: Won’t the custom grill you for bringing fresh food back?

A: Never. Maybe I’m just lucky. Try at your own risk. Haha.

That’s all for this trip. Next time maybe I’ll do a live demo on how I pack and smuggle all these groceries back home haha.

Hello! Today Junya turns 4 years and a half, and Sakura turns 2 years 7 months.

This isn’t a real post because well… I was away for work more than 2 weeks out of a month. Which makes this post less than half legit.

I just realized I didn’t even have photos of @cheesiepetit other than the few ones I took with them at Number76 Tribeca’s opening and some photos I have to take with them for postings. I was busy traveling from Japan to Malaysia to Singapore back to Japan again now.

For Junya

I didn’t even have any photos of Junya, this was the only one taken during the salon opening.

With Sakura

Read Junya’s 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 , 20th month ,21st month , 22nd month , 23rd month , 24th month , 25th month , 26th month , 27th month , 28th month , 29th month , 30th month , 31st month , 32nd month , 33rd month , 34th month , 35th month , 36th month , 37th month , 38th month , 39th month , 40th month , 41st month , 42nd month , 43rd month , 44th month , 45th month , 46th month , 47th month , 48 months , 49th month , 50th month , 51st month , 52nd month and 53rd month here.

Friend

Singular. Because just one. Haha. Junya has a friend.

I am so proud and happy though. May mommies probably cannot even relate to this because kids around me seem to be so ridiculously sociable and for sure have more friends and BFFs at just 3 years old lol than I do in my entire life lol.

Junya, unfortunately, probably took after my anti-social genes and is rather a loner. I have never heard him mention about his classmates, he also never had a friend preference. I never ever get an answer from questions like “who is your best friend in school?” or even when I rephrase the question -“who do you like the most in your class?” The only answer he will give me are a variant of vague comments such as “everybody”. Sometimes “nobody.” Sometimes “I don’t know”. Sometimes he simply changes topic.

I didn’t press him further because I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE EXACTLY. I did not have real friends in school too. Haha. And that’s okay. I turned out fine now. He’s gonna turn out fine too.

But recently when I pick him up from school he would pull me down and whisper into my ears “Mama can we go sanpo (take a walk) with Y?”

Y is his new friend, a very adorable, gentle boy from his class. And they are friends only because I am mamatomo (mommy friends) with Y’s mommy. She’s also my only “friend” from Junya’s school (probably because she also doesn’t have many. She just moved to this new country not long ago).

So if you think about it actually it is all my fault. Because I didn’t bother making more mamatomo, hosting parties, initiating play dates, making rainbow cupcakes for the entire class, remembering every child’s birthdays or even bother checking the group messages. I am shit at making friends so it is no wonder my son can’t make any either.

You know the sucky thing? Everytime you are upset about your children’s behavior, you get twice more upset when you realize that you are actually the problem.

But for the first time he has a friend after 4.5 years of his life in this world.

In the past even when we attended parties or school activities, instead of playing with his friends he would always stick by my side and refuse to socialize until I was like seriously what’s the point of all these outings if it’s just gonna be me and him sitting at one corner anyway because I also suck at talking to people? And so we stopped going. (See? My fault again.)

Seeing this makes me so happy. They took their bikes and scooters to race each other leaving two mommies behind pushing two strollers with our younger daughters napping, trying to catch up to them.

It’s okay not to have friends, but it’s nicer to have one. Or more.

For Sakura

Read Sakura’s 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 month , 19th month , 20th month , 21st month , 22nd month , 23rd month , 24th month , 25th month , 26th month , 27th month , 28th month , 29th month and 30th month here.

So actually I’m spending a lot of time with her because she’s not going to school yet. It’s mama and Sakura time after we send Niinii to school until he comes back. That explains why I have many more photos of her in my iphone.

She’s amazing. I can throw her puzzles, some toys, and she would give me peace to finish whatever I have to finish. Cook, clean, work. On a good mood day.

On not so good mood day she’s all mamamamamamamamamamamamamamamamaamama and I would feel that I have achieved ZERO anything by the time I have to go pick up Junya again.

Play date. (Singular) Made effort to meet another mamatomo before flying off again.

*wink wink*

Omg I remember it took Junya almost one whole year to be able to not scream when we put goggles on him. I guess the good thing about the second child is that you don’t even have to try. They want to do whatever the older sibling does.

Also another good thing (good as long as they don’t grow smart enough to start to complain) is that whatever the elder sibling doesn’t use/want/like anymore, it’s their new present. lol.

Sakura gets a second hand, heavily vandalised scooter as her Xmas present while Niinii gets a brand new, kick ass two-wheeled big boy scooter.

The lesson she has to learn – Life is not always fair.

For Mama

You know what. I enjoy being away from the kids. SO MUCH. I’ll say it out loud all in caps. I did not use to like the fact that I’m away from them probably because I didn’t want to admit to myself that it will make me look like a shit mom, AND also I did not even have the privilege to be away from them other than when they are in school because I did not have any help. And because it is miserable to like what you cannot have.

I got my mom to help for for almost an entire month during this year end travel rush. I am so thankful. I know that they are in good hands. And I smelled freedom that I had secretly lusted over for so long. Now that I get a taste of it I’m addicted. It sounds really horrible when I say this out, but I’m tired of being a mom already. I’m running away and it’s such a sweet escape.

Also, I don’t know how to parent anymore. When I returned from a 2-week-long work trip, Junya shockingly turned into a sort-of angel. I was starting to seriously believe that he needs a break from ME. I returned home to such a good boy so I must be the entire reason why he wasn’t???

I asked him, “why you so good boy these few days?”

And he said…

He said this:

“Because you are kind to me.”

…

What kind of monster had I been? It’s ironic that I had to take a step back from momming him for the both of us to feel better about each other and not drive each other up the wall. So maybe this distance is after all healthy. I don’t know. Did the “quality time” we spent together are not so quality time after all? What went wrong? Was I nagging too much? Did he like mommyless time better? Like can finally take a breather from me breathing down his neck? It’s scary to think that we are both happier away from each other.

So I really don’t know how parenting works anymore. You can (think that you) give your absolute best love, best food, best effort, best everything to your children yet you worry if they will grow up to be a good human. You’ll never know. You don’t get certificates for scoring and they don’t give you letter of guarantee.

Anyway I gotta go. 7am work call tomorrow.

My previous posts on Okayama:

1. Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
2. Affordable shopping

Today we are visiting Kojima (児島), a peninsula surrounded by the Seto Inland Sea located at the southern tip of Kurashiki city.

Facts about Kojima:

1.It serves as the gateway to Shikoku.

2.It thrived in the textile industry, and is the birth place of Japan-made jeans.

Seto Ohashi Bridge Cruise

If you know a little about geography of Japan (if not, refer to my Japan map 101 blog post:47 Prefectures.), you may appreciate this cruise even more.

Kojima is located on the Honshu (Japan main island), and this cruise brings you around the amazing great Seto Ohashi Bridge that connects Honshu to the island of Shikoku through the Seto Inland Sea (Setonaikai, 瀬戸内海).

(Read more about Seto Inland Sea on my Setouchi blog post.)

I was so thrilled because… I was so close to conquering yet another prefecture – Kagawa! I could literally see it but just see no touch haha. Nevermind. Back again next time and I’ll conquer the remaining 3 in Shikoku all at one go.

Kojima Sightseeing Port – This is where you board the cruise, and it’s only a 5-min walk from Kojima Station.

You board a 45-minute cruise out to the sparkling Seto Inland Sea, watch the gorgeous sky turning all sorts of sunsetty colors and sigh at how magnificent the great bridges are.

The entire bridge is 13km long (and is made of 6 connecting bridges, making it one of the longest in the world!), and is double-decked with highway on the upper deck and railway on the lower.

Quite a romantic cruise over gorgeous sunsets.

One day soon, I will cross that bridge to Kagawa!

Fee: 1,550 yen for adults and 780 yen for children, no reservation needed!

Washu Highland Hotel

This is where I stayed on the first night of my trip in Okayama. And I think it’s the perfect ryokan to spend a rather relaxing yet entertaining night in.

I have stayed in so so so so many different ryokan before and this is one of my favorite. For a few reasons:

1.It has an unbeatable view from the rotenburo (open-aired onsen)
2. Unexpected entertainment
3. Very, very good food

Basically when a ryokan has good view and good food it is already perfect.

My room was a modern Japanese room with bed, there are also tatami rooms available (I always sleep better on futon!).

Ryugu No Tsukai Buffet Style Dining

Washu Highland Hotel serves amazing food. For dinner, there are over 50 dishes to choose from, using fully fresh produce from local sea, mountains and fields.

Love the plating! Not only pleasing to the eyes, they are also making it super convenient for diners. I spot a lot of premium ingredients especially seafood such as sea urchin, anago and lots of fresh sashimi!

Steaks are cooked live in front of you! It was soooo good.

ODEN BUFFET OMG THAT’S MY DREAM.

Try their special Salt Lemon Sour (alcoholic). Really thirst-quenching!

Odennnnn. Daikonnnnnnn.

So very satisfied with the buffet!

Half way eating, there was an announcement about a live octopus show that was about to start.

Tako No Ikezukuri Show

There was an explanation about the anatomy of the octopus. It was a very eye-opening (almost literally) performance.

I retrieved a video from their website, you can have a look! Don’t scream at the octopus-beheading part!

They also serve the sliced octopus for tasting afterwards, so you are really eating the freshest octopus you ever can.

Buffet breakfast was just as pleasant, with a gorgeous view in addition.

Kimen Daiko 鬼面太鼓

At 8pm, here’s a free Taiko (Japanese drums) performance for all the hotel’s guests.

While everyone was excitedly waiting for it to start, and the host said, I need a few volunteers to demonstrate Taiko. And I really don’t know 我吃了什么豹子胆 cuz I was the student who looked away from the teachers when they asked questions, but that night I was the first person who raised my hand to be picked.

And I did. It was my first time holding a pair of Bachi and my heart was thumping before the drums did ok. (Other than playing Taiko no Tatsujin in the arcade lol) I LOVE taiko. I love seeing taiko performances, and actually my latest resolution was to learn taiko.

It all started during my trip in Uchiko, Ehime. I chanced upon a Taiko performance by local highschool students at Uchiko-Za, a kabuki theatre in Uchiko (blog post here). The resounding beats of the percussion left me charmed ever since. I was so intrigued that I started develop an interest to the point that I wanted to start learning it myself.

Anyway, among jokes and banters, we played the drums for about 10 minutes, before the real deal started. Lights were all out, and suddenly, a neon demon appeared, and then another, and more…

Kimen Daiko performance. Haunting, dazzling, they totally smashed it.

My heart was beating with every strike on the drum. Absolutely amazing. When they finished and the lights are back on, the audience gave an equally thundering round of applause for a whole half minute. Absolutely well deserved.

Bear in mind that these performers aren’t full time drummers, they are all hotel’s staff, some working in the kitchen, some at the reception, but they put up a stunning show, every single day for as long as 15 years!! (Check out their arm muscles!!!)

Thank you so much. Thanks for the hospitality. It was really well appreciated.

Here’s a video of the performance from their website, to give you a feel how it was like!

The show goes on every single day at 8:30pm, free of charge as an act of omotenashi for all its guests.

Onsen

Hotspring is another highlight of our stay!

The spring is Mt Washu Fukiage hot spring, the only natural hot spring in Washuzan.

I absolutely love how Washu Highland Hotel tries their very best to provide a special experience for their guests.

They have multiple baths in the premise, and one of them is Minazuki No Yu Onsen – Honey & Pearl onsen using Yamada Bee Farm Dehydrated Honey and pearl extract in the bath!! 😱 The water is golden in color, with more than 180 types of rich nutrients to nourish your body!

Check out the sunset and sunrise time for the following day, so that you can enjoy “a view second to none in the world” from the Sky View Open-Aired Bath on the hotel’s rooftop, according to a famous photographer Yoichi Midorikawa.

Couldn’t take a photo from inside the bath for obvious reason, but it’s the same one as this!! Can’t really argue that it is indeed, one of the best views from an onsen bath I’ve experienced.

I didn’t expect to write a full blog post just on a ryokan, but that was how much it has impressed me. Make sure you spend a night here if you ever come to Kojima. 🙂