Akikonch

SEVEN-FIVE-THREE (Shichi-Go-San)

2010-11-29T01:31:00.004+09:00

In Japan we express our thanks to the God when our children reach to the age of three, five and seven. Gen has become three years old this year, so we paid a visit to a shrine to be thankful for his healthy growth.

While the Shinto priest was doing the ceremony, I couldn't hold my tears because these three years have flashed back on my mind from the very beginning of my pregnancy, giving birth, first smile, first crawl, first step, first word,,,, and my husband felt the same. I saw him put a handkerchief on his eyes.

It was really a precious day.

Trip to Hawaii

2010-10-25T01:08:00.000+09:00

In the middle of October, we had a great trip to Hawaii. We stayed at Honolulu for three days and spend the last ten days at Kona@Big Island, where we stayed at Sveta's house. Sveta is my very best friend in Hawaii, and we share a lot in common.

We enjoyed every moment in Hawaii, feeling the ocean breeze and the warmth of "Aloha" spirit.

The trip was totally amazing for Gen because he could experience so many "new"s and had so many great discoveries. He saw many sea creatures and got so excited.

He also learnt how beautiful to have such a great friend in Hawaii. Actually, Gen couldn't play nicely with Anya, but gradually found out sharing toys and sharing the joy were so precious and beautiful!

Sveta and Vasey took us to many beautiful places. This is one of them: Pololu Valey. We walked all the way down the beach, where we could feel the very smooth and silky black sand. It was amazing!

Ten days were just too short for us to enjoy Kona, and also to spend time with Sveta family. They will move to mainland, so this might have been the last chance to get together in Hawaii. That kind of feeling made me feel this trip too precious.

Words just cannot express how lucky I am to have got a chance to meet Sveta back in four years ago when we were living in Hawaii. My life is so blessed!!

How Old Are You?

2010-07-12T13:40:00.001+09:00

Three Years Old!!

Happy Birthday, Gen!

Make a wish, and blow the candles!

...and eat as much as you want!

We Love You, Our Son!!

Children's Festival (Kodomonohi)

2010-05-15T16:33:00.003+09:00

May 5th is Kodomonohi, or Childrens' Day in Japan. We put up a pole with flying carp on our yard or display a Gogatsu Doll in our house to celebrate our boy's healthy growth. (It's just opposite the Girls' Day on March 3rd.)

We went to see huge flying carp over Sagami River. The view was just so gorgeous!!

"Boys, Be Ambitious!!"

My parents, or Gen's grand parents in Okayama, sent us a beautiful Gogatsu Doll with samurai warrior helmet when Gen got one year old, so we display the doll during the Golden Week. Gen really loves to watch him, sitting strait in front of him.

On the day, we got a cake and let Gen have some yummy fun!

I love swings!

2010-04-25T16:30:00.001+09:00

OK, Gen. Are you ready?

Yep, Dada!

Push, please!

Hooray! This is FUN!!

I Love Swings!

Train and Bus Museum at Kawasaki

2010-04-08T16:21:00.002+09:00

On one warm spring day in April, Gen and I went to the Train and Bus Museum (電車とバスの博物館）in Kawasaki. Gen got so thrilled even on his way to the museum because he could find many other trains different from what he was used to see everyday.

No wonder he was just stunned by the huge showcase of trains demonstrating railways around Tokyo and Yokohama area. He kept standing there for about half an hour, while his mummy was checking e-mails through her mobile...!

Now he got a chance to drive a bus!

Finally he became a bunny conductor!
It was so perfect a day!

We would like to come back here again soon.

Nagano Trip 2010

2010-03-29T23:52:00.001+09:00

We went for a trip to Yamanashi and Nagano

at the end of March.

Day 1--- It was raining on the first day,

but we went to an indoor swimming pool and spa.

This pool has waves!!

Gen really enjoyed a ball pool for little ones.

Day 2 --- The rain turned into snow when we got to Nagano.
The perfect day for snowboarding!

It was Gen's first time to try a sled.
After all he really liked it,
but he needed three hours to closely examine the snow...

This automatic walkway is soooo convenient!
I LOVE it! (and Gen LOVES it!)

The hotels we stayed were very nice and
we didn't worry about taking a 2 year-old boy.

Traveling with little children seems to be
getting easier than the past.
We had a nice sunshine on the last day.

Nagano is such a wonderful place for a great "getaway" from Tokyo.
It took only 2hr and a half by car,
and we have decided to go back there again soon!

Piano Concert

2010-02-08T07:20:00.000+09:00

We went for a piano concert in Hachioji.

The pianists allow little babies and kiddos

to touch and feel the real, live classical music.

They said to us, "Come in the front, if you like!"

How generous!

Gen was the only one

who went toward the very front,

a bit embarrassing for me...

Anyways, he enjoyed listening to the piano,

and looking at how the pianists play the piano.

He loved it so much.

This was his very first time to experience a classical

music concert, and I think he enjoyed himself pretty well.

I would like to tell him some manners at concerts little by little,

taking advantage of these generous concerts.

I am thankful for the two pianists,

mother and her daughter.

appear on a magazine

2010-01-28T07:04:00.002+09:00

Gen and Koji was featured in a Japanese magazine,

"Kodomo Eigo Catalogue 2011".

These are several shots for the article.

Gen says, "Hi, flowers!"

He loves to say hi to the flowers.

Coffee break in front of our house.

Koji gives a happy smile while Gen is busy drinking milk.

in our neighborhood

Gen loves to go for a walk with his dada.

Gen enjoys sorting.

Finally comes our family shot.

It was really a nice experience for Furuki family!

New Year 2010

2010-01-17T23:16:00.002+09:00

Cooking "Osechi", Japanese traditional cuisine for the new year,

always makes me feel happy and cheerful, and at the same time,

somewhat humbled for welcoming the new year.

After having the New Year feast,

we paid a visit to the shrine,

and took a family picture.

2010 is year of the Tiger

according to the Oriental Zodiac,

so we took a picture with a tiger

at the nursery school

where they held a Mochi-tsuki event. May the year 2010 blessed with happiness

and greatest luck!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-29T18:47:00.003+09:00

Kick-start of our Christmas @TMG

Christmas Lights at Tama-Center
Christmas Lights at Lake Miyagase

Christmas Party with our ABC Club members

Christmas at home

Gen and I made an advent calender of Santa Clause,

and did some Christmas Tree decoration together.

He loved several Christmas books, and enjoyed the atmosphere.

And, he LOVED all the presents he got from his loved ones.

Now we wish you the very happy New Year to all!

Hometown in Okayama

2009-11-23T04:25:00.005+09:00

Gen and I were taking a short "vacation"
to go back to see my family and friends in Okayama.

Unlike the last time we took a jetplane, (it was aweful!)

taking Shinkansen seemed to have become one of his favorites.

Ibara Tetsudo, local train in Okayama

I really love the views from this train.

So peaceful!

Love Music!

2009-10-13T18:13:00.003+09:00

What do you think Gen is doing?

He is listening to some school brass band performance.

Hidden place for butterflies

2009-10-13T18:05:00.004+09:00

One day on our way back home from small shopping in neighborhood, we happened to find a "hidden-secret" spot where so many butterflies were flying. Orange ones, purple ones, yellow ones, white ones,,, it was just so amazing and Gen got too much excited!

"Look, mommy! There are more butterflies out there!"

Halloween decoration going on @ABC CLUB

2009-10-07T23:28:00.002+09:00

♪ Halloween, Halloween, What does it mean? ♪

Halloween Night is around the corner.

Our ABC Club is being decorated with

Halloween motifs little by little.

We made "Happy-Sad Pumpkin Head" from paper plates.

Kids really love their pumpkins showing its "happy" side.

Real "Spooky" atmosphere is too much for little ones,

so our club is providing a "Spooky-Cuty" Halloween.

Here come "cute" ghosts!

Our Halloween Event will be held on October 26th.

Come and join us!!

Sunny days of September 2009

2009-09-28T23:20:00.001+09:00

Gen and I tried Machida Squirrel Park again.

He really enjoyed feeding the small friends.

We went for Aihakawa Park and

Gen tried to say "hello" by touching each flower.

After that we went for Hattori Farm,

where we had a really "yummy" icecream!

Gen was so excited to see many farm animals like

goats, cows, sheep, horses, roosters, pigs and so on.

He is such an animal "lover"!

Sunflower Field

2009-08-31T21:57:00.002+09:00

Sunflowers, sunflowers, sunflowers!!

Gen likes to walk around this sunflower field, which is just like a maze!

Kids had a lot of fun surrounded by so many sunflowers.

It was just so relaxing and energy-regaining.

Summer Festival 2009

2009-08-31T21:47:00.003+09:00

The nearest shrine to our house holds its summer festival in the middle of August every year.

We can enjoy various foods and desserts at food stands, and especially kids enjoy some game stands. Gen was closely watching at goldfish scooping.

We had a lot of fun. Putting on yukata is one of my most favorite parts in visiting these summer festivals. Gen wears "jin-bei" for his traditional Japanese summer cloth.

The summer festivals in Japan usually relate to "shintoism." Our ancestors were thankful for Shito Gods for their harvest, and its spirit still continues to our present time.

Chippie's Park

2009-08-13T10:01:00.005+09:00

Gen really likes animals, so we went for a chippie's park in Machida. I do not know why but there is a very huge tortoise, which walks relatively fast, that makes Gen "freeze"!!

But he loves to feed squarrels and had a lot of fun. He refused to leave the park!
It was such a wonderful time for Gen and me. This park is pretty small, but big enough for Gen to run around and have fun.

Harvest

2009-07-24T00:02:00.003+09:00

Basils are growing so well. This is our second time to cook Genovase basil paste and enjoy pesto. The fragrance is richer than the ones we usually buy at a grocery.

Here comes a tomato! Very sweet and tastes so good. I hope Gen will like eating fresh vegetables right from our herb&vegetable garden, though he is such a picky eater now...

Gen's First ABC Chants

2009-07-10T11:34:00.006+09:00

Although he doesn't say ABCs very clearly, he perfectly imitates the rhythm.

Star Festival

2009-07-09T00:19:00.002+09:00

July 7th falls on "Tanabata" or "Star Festival" in Japan. There is a fairy tale for this Festival. It goes like this; Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful wife Orihime, who was really good at sewing, and a hard-working husband Hikoboshi, who was good at growing crops. They loved with each other so much, so they didn't do their work properly. The God got angry and gave them a punishment. They were torn apart by The Milkey Way, and were allowed to meet with each other only one time in a year. That is July 7th, Tanabata night.

On Tanabata night, we write our wish on a piece of paper, and place it on a bamboo tree together with some beautiful ornaments.

Here's what we wished for on Tanabata night. On a yellow strip, I wished for our family's healthy growth. On a blue strip, Gen wrote something he wanted to wish for.

May our wishes come true!

Happy Tanabata Night! (Star Festival!)

Trip to Hakone

2009-06-25T22:13:00.002+09:00

Eight mothers and kids have decided to make a two-day trip to Hakone Hotspa. On the way there, we had some fun at Odawara Park and Gen loved to feed a goat.
The hotel has a huge and beautiful SPA. Kids are ready to have a fun spa time.

After the spa, they are ready to eat. It's just amazing how well they wait for their moms to pick some food for them. (The dinner was buffet style.)

The next day, we went for Hakone Aquarium, where Gen showed a good concentration on carefully watching fishes.

The two-day trip was over. We had a relaxing dinner at a nearby Japanese stylr restaurant.

Gen's first spoken word

2009-06-10T23:44:00.002+09:00

Not mommy, not daddy, but Gen's first spoken word was "Inai-inai-ba," or "Peek-a-boo!"

We have a famous Japanese program called "Inai-inai-ba," and Gen loves to say "Ba! (Boo!)" in unizon with the opening song.

Yard work

2009-06-10T23:34:00.002+09:00

Gen does a great job helping his daddy in our yard.

He loves to play with pebbes.

One day at ABC playgroup

2009-05-28T00:56:00.006+09:00

We had so much fun dancing, singing, playing, enjoying games and craft after reading "The Very Hungr Caterpillar."

After the program, Wakana asked me to read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?."

Date!?

2009-05-16T22:06:00.002+09:00

Gen's got really nice cute little girl friends :)

Perfect season to go out on a date!

Japanese Children's Day

2009-05-05T21:46:00.003+09:00

May 5th is "Children's Day" in Japan, and it's usually a celebration for boys as a counterpart of Girl's Festival on March 3rd. My parents, Gen's grand parents in Okayama, gave a gorgeous Samurai Doll for Gen last year, and we have decided to display it from the end of April to the beginning of May every year.

On Children's Day this year, we were thinking about entertaining Gen with fancy dinner or big cake, but we ended up with playing with him all day long. What he really likes to do is to play with his parents. So we spent the day with Gen, letting him play with whatever he wants to play, and having so much fun together.

May 5th is literally "Children's Day" for our family. Gen's the boss!

Missing Aunty Keiko

2009-04-29T12:23:00.000+09:00

In the end of April, Gen and I were back in my hometown in Okayama. There Gen really loved to play with my sister, Keiko. On the day when we were going back to Tokyo, Gen suddenly kissed her while she was reading.

"Love you, my aunty."

We will be back in Okayama again, soon. Or we should invite Keiko to stay in Tokyo for a while.

SAKURA

2009-04-15T00:26:00.001+09:00

One morning in April, we went to a nearby park.

Stairway to cherry blossom trees.

It's amazing that the park is only 10 minutes walk from our house.

Beautiful cherry blossoms with Perfect Sakura-Pink!

Trip to Enoshima, Mt. Fuji and Asamizo Park

2009-04-03T10:06:00.001+09:00

In early April, Gen and I made a flower crown with a paper-plate. It took a little bit of time to color paper-plate green and dry it, but it was worth doing it. Gen realy enjoyed picking his favorite-colored flowers, checking how he looked in the mirror, and gave a big smile to himself.

Gen and I enjoyed a small trip to Enoshima Island together with Aryn&Rhyan, and Tomomi&Tomoya. We enjoyed Enoshima Aquarium and a nice stroll to Enoshima Island.

Koji and Gen really like to drive away to Mt. Fuji. They really enjoy their "boy's" time.

I took Gen to Asamizo Park, where a small petting zoo is available. Gen didn't really like guinea pigs, but loved this goat.

Toys Kingdom at Tokyo Dome

2009-03-17T23:08:00.005+09:00

Gen and I went to Tokyo Dome to see my ex-coworker, Amanda and her son Caden. We tried "Toys Kingdom" and it was like a paradise for our little ones. They got so excited to have so many toys to play with.

It was really tough to put two 1 year-olders into one picture, but here it is. They are driving together.

Gen loves a slide. He climbs up blue stairs, crawl on to red steps...

... and ready to slide!

Amanda is the greatest teacher I've ever met, and I've learned a lot from her. Even now when I have some troubles coordinating English playgroups, I goes back and think what Amanda would do if she were in my shoes. She still gives me confidence and guts! Super lady!

Aihara Park

2009-03-15T23:05:00.000+09:00

When Gen and I were driving near our house, we happened to find a pretty cozy park.

"I'm wondering how I can reach the top of the tree."

Nice walking around in the beautiful weather!

Earlier St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-10T01:33:00.009+09:00

One of the English playgroups I am coordinating has a regular playday today. We made a shamrock-shaped coaster with adhesive paper.

Before that, I've already got several great craft ideas from Hawaii. Her art work is so creative and kids-oriented. Fingerpainting and using tissue paper will definitely work with 1 year-old toddlers.

I would like to use these ideas in our upcoming playday with the theme of "rainbow." I am very lucky to have such a super-artistic friend who would give me a great helping hand even far away from Hawaii!

Girl's Festival

2009-03-05T00:35:00.006+09:00

March 3rd falls on "Girl's Festival." Families who have girls display "hina dolls" and wish for their daughters' happiness in the future. A set of "hina dolls" usually shows a traditional wedding in the older times in Japan.

We do not have a baby girl in our family but a cute pumpkin boy, so we usually don't celebrate the day, however, I miss this pretty custom so much. Luckily I got a set of crafty-hina-dolls in Ebina, so I made one for ME, who already had a happy wedding.
Ebina is a nice city not too large, not too small. Aryn and I let our little ones play while mums enjoyed mum's chatting. Gen tried a bouncing slide for the first time, and he really loved it. We should try this kids resort again.

Team "FRIENDS"

2009-03-01T22:42:00.006+09:00

The Biggest Surprise, Ever!!!

Etsuko and Tomomi had been secretly planning this big surprise, and yes, they got me! This is the biggest surprise, ever! I love their warm friendship, I love their warm thoughts, and I love these super friends!

As I have been going through a little bit of tough downs in life these days, they have been supporting me, cheering me up, giving me a lot of guts, and always on my side. I will never ever forget the day.

Snow!

2009-02-27T23:11:00.004+09:00

Finally we had snow. Gen and I got excited to see snow falling down from the sky. Gen kept looking outside for a while. So I let him put on a warm coat, warm boots, and took him outside to touch snow. He got more excited and gave me a big smile. I wish we had a heavy covering of snow so that he could dive into it.

Weekends in February

2009-02-24T00:46:00.005+09:00

On one weekend KJ took Gen to Mt. Fuji, while I was out in Sendagaya. They sometimes need their "boy's" time.
These days Gen's really into "Spot" series, especially the ones with "peek-a-boo" tricks.

On one weekend Gen's friend Tomoya came to our house. To our surprise, Tomoya called Gen's name for the first time! Gen looked so happy when his name was called amazingly by his buddy friend.

"BEE MINE"

2009-02-13T19:36:00.007+09:00

Gen and I enjoyed making a Valentine's "BEE MINE" honeybee card. Making a craft seems a bit boring for him, but I enjoyed it. He is going to show it to his daddy, saying "be mine!" on the Valentine's Day. Isn't it sweet?

This is what we made for a winter fun, a bunny with snowflakes.

Valentine from Hawaii

2009-02-12T23:10:00.004+09:00

A very beautiful Valentine's gift from Hawaii

Sveta is a beautiful and intelligent woman with a lot of talents, a mother of two sweet girls, and my very best friend in Hawaii.

Weekends in January

2009-02-08T02:35:00.004+09:00

I love to spend a relaxed weekend together with KJ and Gen. There are several nice parks near our house and one of them is just by the lake Tsukui. Gen loves to walk around the park and he gets so excited when he sees people who take dogs. Gen must like animals. He wasn't afraid of cows, horses, donkeys and ducks when we took him to a farm.

We also love to spend our weekend together with our friends. I like to have a party with "potluck" style because my husband usually cooks something for our guests or for our potluck dish. The picture below shows nems, one of his favorites, goes so well with Thai-chili sauce.

It's always nice to see a man cooking in the kitchen, but cooking something together is more fun. I would like Gen to love cooking, too.

Favorite snack

2009-01-19T21:08:00.000+09:00

Here is my favorite Kappa-Ebisen!

I DO want it! Yes, I've got it!

Gen's reach is getting longer day by day. I may be witnessing Darwinian theory of evolution!?

New Year Party

2009-01-03T01:46:00.004+09:00

We had a big New Year "Potluck" Party with some of our best friends.

We had KFC's juicy chicken and potatoes, kid's favorites, hand-made chesnut cake, bamboo shoot rice, some appetizer, tomato pasta and Japanese miso stew in a big pot.

We enjoyed drinking, eating and chatting, while kids were playing nicely. One of our friends is from Kenya, so we enjoyed listening to a "real" Kenyan life in the countryside, surrounded by "real" wild animals. It was so exciting.

After we finished eating and enjoying our tea break with coffee and cake, Hanna, just as the same age as our son Gen, started to fall into a half-doze in my husband's arms. She was just so sweet. That told us it was time to say good-bye.

Anyways, It was a great kick-start of the year 2009.

New Year 2009

2009-01-01T21:01:00.000+09:00

New Year's Day is one of the most important days for us.

Very eary in the morning, my husband put a New Year's wreath on the entrance door. I heard from my grandmother that the New Year's wreath shows the God that all the family members of this house are ready to welcome you. The God is believed to celebrate the New Year's Day with us and give us a lot of blessings.

New Year's morning goes with "osechi" and "ozoni," both are New Year's feast. I cook all the "osechi" dishes every year. I used to cook with my mother and sisters. It took "millions" of hours (of course, not :) to complete osechi, but it was fun chatting and cooking together. Recently, more and more people stop cooking or just buy alreay-cooked osechi, but I do not want to lose this custom of cooking home-made osechi, however long it may take.

[part of osechi]
from the yellow one to the right: datemaki, tazunakamaboko, kurikinton, tadukuri, namasu, kazunoko, tatakigobo, kobu, and the black beans in the center, gomame

After having New Year's feast, we paid a visit to a near-by shrine, and picked a paper fortune. We asked the Shinto priest to purify our car, too.
After getting home, we enjoyed reading New Year Greeting Cards, which are just like Christmas cards for my English friends.

We had a very slow, but so peaceful New Year's Day.
I hope the Year 2009 will be filled with a lot of discoveries and happiness.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T14:40:00.001+09:00

We do not really celebrate Christmas like New Year, but I like an atmosphere of it, so have decided to grill chicken wings, cook vegetable soup and bake strawberry cake. It is just a small meal, and just for the family of us three, but the cake, some Santa dolls my husband had bought in Germany, and beautiful candle light on our dinner table created an atmosphere of Christmas.

[chicken wings and some veges about to be in the oven]
chicken wings were soaked in Japanese sake, olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper for one night, and rosemarry and thyme adds a beautiful flavor.

As for Christmas presents, I bought a trouser press for my husband because he has been longing for that fancy machine for more than two years. Now his deam has come true, I bet. He bought me a PORTER's shoulder bag, made of leather. I like shoulder bags because my both hands are free, and it is convenient especially when I go out and have to grab or hold our little son. Lastly, Secret Santa Clause gave our son Gen, a cute GAP knit hat.

Gen is too young to know the knit hat was from Santa Clause, but hopefully he may prepare cookies and hot milk for him next year. Before going to bed, I read Eric Carle's "Dream Snow" for Gen, one of his favorite Christmas books.

"Merry Christmas to All " and we pushed the botton, Good night :)

Feverish

2008-12-18T23:58:00.000+09:00

After my husband left for Germany, Gen started to look flushed. I was so worried because my husband wouldn't be back for about a week. Gen started to look worn out, and I took his temperature. Gosh, 38.8 degrees! It was too late to take him to the doctor's, but I was ready to take him to an emergency. After all, he slept all night, so I took him to the doc's in the next morning. That was a very tough and long night for me.

Gen is usually very lively, cheerful and active, but he looked so worn out during the five days when his fever went on. It was really long and tough days for me. I stayed close to him, feeding him (luckily he could eat and drink well), reading his favorite books, singing to him, and watching his favorite DVDs together. After the fever was gone, he regained his guts to do his usual "work."

Gen is now doing so fine, and I truly thank for his being healthy and lively. I should be careful not to let him catch a cold again.

By the way, HIB vaccination was not officially approved in Japan, but recently the Japanese government approved it, and the shots came to be gradually available in Japan. The number of them is very limited, so I asked a nearby hospital to put Gen in a waiting list. I hope he will get the shot soon.

Book reading

2008-12-14T18:54:00.004+09:00

Gen loves to read books.

But... honey, isn't it a bit too difficult for you?!

I am wondering...

2008-12-04T18:17:00.004+09:00

how this machine works.

This part may have some secrets?

mmm.... it's still a mystery.
Gen's quest goes on.

Look, mommy!

2008-12-03T21:40:00.005+09:00

I am helping you!

He watches me carefully and wants to do the same thing as I do.

Good time at Christmas Party

2008-12-02T21:47:00.007+09:00

Gen and I had a very big adventure today.
We went to Hamamatsu-cho all the way from Machida
to attend a Christmas Party.

We met new friends there, and had an exciting time.
Gen loved a story time, and enjoyed dancing to the music,
but not really craft, he was eating a crayon :<

This was the first time for me to feel the real necessity

to use English since I had come back from Hawaii.

I am sure Gen felt something special and thrilling in this atmosphere.

I thank the coordinators for this beautiful event

and mothers who kindly spoke to me.

By the way, Gen was really a good boy on the train.

He was so helpful. I love this sweet dude.

Silence means...

2008-11-28T23:23:00.001+09:00

My little one is doing his job.

Welcome to our house!

2008-11-23T22:05:00.003+09:00

Newly joined herbs

Rosemarry, Lavender, Camomile, Thyme and Mint.

Lunch meeting with friends

2008-11-20T17:48:00.004+09:00

Gen and I had a lot of fun today. Gen ate a lot, watched "Thomas" DVD and played together with his friends. It is always nice to see our little ones playing nicely.

Finally Moved to Tokyo

2008-11-16T23:43:00.004+09:00

On October 30, 2008, we've finally settled in the suburbs of Tokyo. Living in a brand-new house makes me feel much happier than I expected. I can't wait for our new life starting from this cozy, neat home.