はすのはな

Eldery Ladies' Hina Matsuri Party

Auntie J is amazing in a lot of way but one of her calling is taking care of people as a nurse practitioner.

This weekend she and her dear nurse Melissa held the tea party for their elderly ladies who are their patients. We came up with the idea to make this as belated "Hinamatsuri" party (on March 3rd, in Japan we celebrate young girls' good health and growth with Hina-dolls and peach flower).

Team M&S came over to Hickory the night before the party, and we all cooked, talked and danced(?!) preparing for the party until past midnight although all of us were so exhausted from working all week.

In the invitation, we asked those elderly ladies to bring over the picture of their young days and dolls they loved if possible. At the party, the ladies brought over beautiful pictures of themselves and (antique!) dolls.







We served Japanese-style menu at the party; most of them were hand made that we all cooked together the night before. I also had a chance to sing "Hana" song playing piano during the party. So far it's been 20 years or so since I sang on stage! but felt so honored to be given the chance to join such a precious gathering.






I wish my mom could have joined... and also could not stop thinking about myself being their age. Again, this was such a precious experience I was given!

And of course my kids had good time to see their little big friend. This is almost the first sleepover that they had in this house. Especially S was so delighted to see him again and they were so cute together.

11 - after

It'd been a year since the earthquake disaster hit my country on March 11th.
Only thing I could do even a year after that was to get up and pray at 2:45pm JP time.
So many words has been spoken for this "day" and nothing new I could really say, but still am thinking about it.

This weekend we had a wonderful Spring-like weather. Myself and the kids happened to see Groundhog (!) twice (!) at very strange place (one by the highway, one just crossing the back road...) that confirmed that Spring is here. The pear flowers are blooming beautifully, and daffodils and bell flower are all over the garden.

Last weekend the kids enjoyed the hot chocolate, this weekend they enjoyed the frozen yogurt!

China Trip II

So this China trip had a lot of legend, one of this was the dinner with the clients for the audit first day when I splash soy source on the shirt of the auditor and the vice president... The best/worst part is that I did not get any splash...

The restaurant was renovated old water front house owned by some rich family long time ago. We had very interesting dish include the snap turtle and chicken soup including the cｌawls...







I really wish I had more time for myself to explore those old town by the canal... and the thing　I wished the most is if I could speak the language. I am always fascinated with the foreign language, and it is interesting that I could understand some of the Chinese character.

China Trip

I was in China last week, for business trip that happened almost like miracle.
There were so many obstacles, but it did happen and I sincerely appreciate all the help from my extended family here in Hickory that made it happen.

I joined the process audit as a translator, and did have very good time and met fun people. It was my first time in China, and was very eventful. One of the biggest accident was that I did not realize my passport was switched with my boss's passport until I got to the airport... so ended up extended my stay for another day. This actually enabled me to go around the old part of town next day - otherwise I would have hardly any free time, so this was ok.







The town was called Suzhou, it is about an hour and half drive out from Shanghai.









There is couple beautiful gardens including world heritage site. I did not get to go around that much, but enjoyed little bit of old city where bunch of canal are running through.

I hope I'll have some other time to visit China... to have more time and also catch up couple things that I really wished to do!

Valentine and Birthday

January and February are the months when I have so many important people's BD, and most of the time I am so swamped and realize it's passed already. Sometimes I do belated but sometimes it's even too late to do belated...

Anti J's BD was this past week, we did VT/BD party at Hickory. However she herself was the chief (I was so late just from work and then went to pick up flowers at least...)
She is one of the most energetic, fit, clever, lovely, strong and caring person I've never met who I can't imagine how myself and kids' life would have been without her help.
I always wish I could do more for my mothers BD (Fortunately I have couple mother-like figures - and their BDs are in Jan and Feb!) but my capacity is always so tight that I don't have that much freedom of choice...

Anyways the kids made heart pizza with her and had good time as usual.
Happy Birthday all of my mothers!