2017.12.30

It was fine.

I stayed home to wait for three deliveries which I asked. One came in time, the other came later. It seemed there was something wrong so I called and they delivered soon after that.
If I was ready I hoped to leave home earlier to visit a shrine before going to a year-end party. There were too many things to do so.

There was annual year-end party for my high school classmates in Yokohama. Since I have been a snowbird for the past two years, it's been three years for me to attend.
There are 13 people out of 45 classmates.
We enjoyed singing at the second party.

2017.12.29

It was fine and cold.

Today is the first day of 11 days winter vacation.

I went to Shinkiba to attend SRC convention and party.
I met my friend there and we were surprised at the announcement.

At party I saw the pole dance for the first time in live.
It was amazing!!

2017.12.28

It was fine and cold. It was the first day in this winter that my windshield was frozen.
Mt.Fuji looked beautiful, so was the blue sky.

Today is the last working day of this year. But before that some people have already started their own vacation. Official winter vacation is from December 29 to January 3rd.  But I take two days off on Jan. 4 and 5, so I have 11days off.

Tonight I left the office earlier and went to Minato Mirai to attend the dinner cruise of Royal Wing. The night view was beautiful. It was about two hours cruise with Chinese dinner.
There were three couples cerebrating their birthday.

After that I went to the Marine Tower because I had invitation tickets. I thought the expire date was the end of this year but it may be the end of the year of next year. It was constructed in 1961 and about 106 meters high. I enjoyed the night view from the 30th floor and 29th floor.

2017.12.27

It was fine and cold.

Mt.Fuji looked beautiful.  Sky was also very beautiful.

The official winter holiday of my office is from Dec. 29 to Jan. 3 but many people started having their own vacation.

There was a rather big earthquake tonight though it did not last long.

They say they have heavy snow in the northern area. At lunch time news I saw it was snowing in Nagoya too.

How I miss Florida in winter!

2017.12.26

It was fine and beautiful.

I checked the calendar of this year and found I took a long vacation last year around this time. From Christmas to the Coming of the Aged Day.

One of my dreams for the past 10 years was to be a snow-bird and I tried to be so as much as possible.

But this year I still work until the last official working day, so it may be difficult to be so this winter.

I have been to somewhere every weekend in December, and I have not done anything I should do at this time of the year.

I feel bad about it.

2017.12.25

Merry Christmas!!

It was fine and beautiful.

Last year and the year before last I was in Delray Beach, Florida for Christmas and the New Year. But this year I am still working.

At lunch time I went to an Italian restaurant expecting the special Christmas menu. But unfortunately they did not have.

After work I went to see the Christmas illumination at Midtown. Since today is the last day there were many people.
They were very beautiful.
I saw the crescent moon and the Tokyo tower too.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

2017.12.24

Merry Christmas!

How is your Christmas Eve?

I went out for Christmas Dinner with my high school best friend at her sister's French restaurant.

While we were eating, my old colleague from junior high school came, which was a surprise.

2017.12.23

It was fine and beautiful.

Today is Emperor's 84th birthday but since it is Saturday there is no additional day off.

I had a very busy fruitful day.

First I went to Yokohama to get massage which is once a month body maintenance time for me.

Then I went to Kimono-style Miya to leave the baggage and went to Yoyogi to attend a seminar. I applied to attend my friend, but she canceled due to an unexpected event. But I met some friends and made a new friend too, so I am glad to have joined.

After the semiar I came back to Kimono-style Miya to have hair done and dressed the Komono.
Today's kimono is Oborozome Tsujigahana homongi (おぼろ染め辻ケ花訪問着), the formal kimono and very expensive. Obi
is Fukuro obi of Min tsuzuri with embroidery (民綴に刺繍の袋帯) which is also very expensive.
I did not choose them. The CEO of Miya chose them for me. Therefore the taste is a bit different from other kimonos. However I think it is important to try what is recommended because the new world will be open.

Then I went to Ropongi to have a special Christmas Dinner with a handsome model friend.

When I got to Roppongi. there was a long line waiting for Christmas illumination and I was so surprised.

This is the 4th time for me to go to the restaurant at the 45th floor of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Tokyo.

We found many something in common and enjoyed eating delicious Tempura dinner and talking.

Since dinner started late and lasted longer so that I missed the last train and had to use JR and taxi.

It was a nice day.

2017.12.22

It was fine and beautiful.

Today is Toji (冬至), one of nijyushisekki (二十四節気), the 24 solar terms. Toji literally means winter reach. It is winter solstice. It is the day when the day time is the shortest. On this day we eat pumpkin and take a yuzu bath not to get cold.
On my way back home I went to buy yuzu (柚子) and pumkin dish.I felt I am really Japanese.

There was a year-end party of our department at lunch time today. I wished to do it at dinner time, but there are some staffs with small children and it is hard for them to attend at night. Therefore we decided to hold the party at the lunch time so that everyone can attend. We ordered the hors d'oeuvres and some pizzas. One of our staffs who is a man made cheese cake which was the most delicious dish of today.
We enjoyed one hour lunch time by eating, drinking, and talking.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2017.12.21

It was fine and beautiful but very cold. Mt. Fuji looked beautiful.
Day by day it is becoming harder to get out of the comfortable warm bed.
I miss Florida weather.

2017.12.20

It was fine and beautiful but I could not see the Mt.Fuji this morning.

There were two visitors today at the office for the year-end greeting.

It's already 20th of December. There are only 10 days left. There are still too many things to do.

The Ueno zoo has started to show the baby Panda Shan Shan which was born in June since yesterday. They only show two hours and a half per day util the end of January next year. Only 400 groups per day are allowed to see. They say 1419 people of 468 groups out of 18,300 group applications were able to watch yesterday. Jan. 2 seemed to have the most applications for now.

2017.12.19

It was fine and cold.

I went to Ochanomizu to attend one day seminar about Work, Life, and Money.
So I did not go to office today.
There were 21 participants. 9 were women. We were about the same generation. The lecturer was 60 years old woman.
First we looked back our life and wrote what we have done in our life and could be proud of.
Next we thought what we were expected at work, family and society.
Then we thought about how much money we would need to live up to the average life expectancy.
We were divided into 5 groups, and did some group works.
It was interesting to know other people's experiences.

After that I went to Magome to attend the year-end party of ISD studies. There were about 10 people. Since we have something in common, it was very interesting.
ISD means Institute of Self Discovery.  People are divided into three groups, Moon, Earth, Sun by their own birthdate. Each group has four animal symbols.
Today Moon group was the biggest. There are 12 animals in this study, but there were only three or four of them today.
We enjoyed eating home-made dishes and many sweets from different places and talking.

2017.12.18

It was fine but cold. The coldest morning.
It is becoming harder to get out of the bed in the morning day by day.

There are only two weeks left this year but I don't feel so.

Today is the new moon. It is a good timing to wish.  what do you wish?

2017.12.17

It was fine and beautiful.

I went to the Kimono-Style Miya to have hair set and got dressed. They had some events there and I could take some pictures with foreign male models. We met about a half year ago at another Kimono event. They remembered me which was nice.

Then I headed for Omotesando to attend a wedding party of young couple. I have many connections with them and met some friends and acquaintances there.  Time passed so quickly.
It was a nice party.

2017.12.16

It was fine with clouds.

I was waiting for two redeliverly goods in the morning. I could receive the  one from England which was the Christmas present from a friend whom I met at the trip to Grand circle in the USA about 20 years ago.

In the afternoon I went to Shinjuku to attend a lecture by the CEO whom I respect very much.

After the lecture I measured my AGE. I was 10 years younger than my true age. There was TV shooting and I was interviewed. So I may be appeared on TV someday.

2017.12.14

It was fine and very cold.

Last night after midnight I saw some shooting stars. Did you?

Whenever I see the shooting stars, I remember to have been to the middle of nowhere in the central Florida.

2017.12.13

It was fine and very beautiful.
Sky is blue and Mt. Fuji is white with snow.
Just before entering the office I saw the beautiful crescent moon.

They say tonight we can see the Gemni meteor shower. I think we can see beautiful stars too.

At lunch time I took two hours off to have lunch at a fancy restaurant with my friend. It was an invited lunch by TASAKI which is a famous jewelry company. They have a special exhibition at the Ritz Carlton Hotel where is very close from my office.
Lunch was very delicious for mouth and beautiful for eyes.

Jewelries were also very beautiful and gorgeous. When we were looking at Emerald, I asked my friend about her birth stone. She said "Emerald." I was very curious and asked her the date, she said "9th."  We were so surprised because our birthday is May 8 and 9, just one day difference. We felt very close and promised to celebrate birthdays together next year.

It was a nice day.

2017.12.12

It was fine but very cold.

I had two meetings. One in the morning, the other in the afternoon. Besides these I had chances of small talks with colleagues and chat with some friends. I felt everyone has something to worry about, wishes to be financially free, and tries to find how to live one's life fully.

There was an announcement of Kanji (漢字) of the year. It is Kita (北), which means north. They say it is because of North Korea and the heavy rain in the northern Kyushu (九州).

In Japan four directions are said as "Tozai nanboku(東西南北)" East, West, South, North. Which order do you say?

2017.12.11

It was fine but very windy.

I took a compensation holiday for Dec. 9.

Since I came home after midnight, I decided not to use the alarm and sleep as long as I wish.

I read all the newspaper for the past ten days, cleared some kimono which I used last weeekend, and went to the bank to renew the bank note.

It was a nice holiday.

2017.12.10

It was cloudy and cool in Hanoi.

We started before 8 am and visited four places and had lunch at AEON mall. It is a very big shopping complex. I was impressed by the free cellphone charger.

At the airport I used all the VND money I exchanged on Dec. 6.

I left my watch and HELO at the security check because I usually do not take them  off. To my lucky they were kept at the security check.

This 5 days business trip went well.

I came back after 4 hours flight. I watched a movie titled "What's happened on Monday? " which is a story about seven sisters under one child per family policy.

I missed the last train this time too.

2017.12.9

We started at 6 am to go to Hai Phong to have a meeting at 8:30 am. I feel they are early birds in spite of weekend. Meeting lasted longer than expected and we had two unexpected site visits too.

We were supposed to be at 11 am at the next destination but we arrived about two hours later and started eating lunch around 1:30 pm on the boat at Ha Long Bay, the UNESCO's world heritage.
After an hour or so we landed and visited the cave which was very huge.
The landscape was very nice.

It took about four hours or so to come back to Hanoi and had mushroom pot.

We came back to the hotel later than 10 pm.  It was a long day.

2018.12.8

It was slightly raining in the morning, but I did not use an umbrella.

I started early to prepare for the meeting which lasted for all day long. There were about 60 participants with 5 speakers.

After that I wished to go to see the Water Puppet, but since we went out for dinner, I could not go to see it.

That means I'd better come back here again.

2017.12.7

It was slightly raining.

After breakfast I walked and walked. Therefore the step counter showed neary 20000 steps.

Then I prepared many things for tomorrow.

At night there was a welcome dinner.

2017.12.6

It was fine.
I saw the beautiful Mt. Fuji covered with snow this morning.
To my surprise I saw some cherry blossoms in bloom which are usually full in bloom in February in my residential area.

Today I go to Hanoi on a business trip in the afternoon. I took a half day off to do something in the morning. First I went to post office to get the registered mail which has been delivered twice but I could not receive. Second I went to the beauty shop to have my hair cut. Third I went to the National Art Center Tokyo to see the 4th exhibition of Nitten (日展). There were so many art works in three floors. Japanse pictures, articrafts, sculptures, western pictures, and calligraphy. I wished to take more time.

Then I went to the office to check emails and pick up PC, necessary documents and some goods. They are very heavy so I used the lift at the Oedo line. Every day I use escalator feeling so deep. Today I knew it has 7th floor deep.
To my lucky I got the special express train from Daimon, and it stopped only one station or so before arriving at the airport.

The flight from Tokyo to Hanoi was supposed to take 5  hours and 10 minutes but it took 6 hours, arriving at 10:30 pm in Japan Time. There is two-hour difference between Japan and Vietnam. So it was 8:30 pm here.
I watched a movie "The Founder" which is about MacDonald.

This is the second time for me to come to Hanoi. It was also a business trip.

2017.12.5

It was fine and very beautiful. I saw the big Super moon above Mt. Fuji this morning.

My invitation ticket to the museum expires next Sunday. I will go abroad for the business trip from tomorrow. So I was going to visit today at lunch time and ate lunch in a hurry but unfortunately it was closed today.

There was a big news about Shogi (将棋) world. The professional shogi player Mr. Habu Yoshiharu(羽生善治) gained the greatest title "Eisei nanakan (永世七冠)" meaning forever seven crowns.He is the first player who gained all seven titles.
Congratulations!!

2017.12.4

It was strange weather again. Rained, became fine, and rained again.  Somebody saw the rainbow.
I was wondering if I should wear kimono or not, and decided to wear.

In Kanazawa people say since the weather at this time of the year is changeable, "Bento wasuretemo kasa wasureruna (弁当忘れても傘忘れるな)" meaning even if you forget bringing your lunch, never forget brining an umbrella."

I got up early and took onsen (温泉) hot spring. We call this asaburo (朝風呂), morning bath. Then I had a big breakfast again.
After that they have set up my hair and got dressed.
Today's kimono is "Saganishiki(佐賀錦)" and obi is nenkin(撚金). Since we go outside, I wore wana (輪奈) coat.

We left Kagaya around 10 am and headed for Kanazawa. We ate lunch at Omicho ichiba (近江町市場), the famous market there. I ate Kobako gani (香箱がに), female snow crab with eggs. They are in season and I have wanted to eat it by all means  this time so I am very glad to eat it.

Then we went to Kaga yuzen (加賀友禅) factory. It is a very famous design kimono in Ishikawa prefecture.

Now I am on the Shinkansen bound for Tokyo.

It was a nice trip.

2017.12.3

It was a strange weather again. First it was fine, but rained and became fine. It was not so cold.

We ate rich breakfast, simple lunch and nice dinner.

There was the Kimono Fashion Festival in Kaga at Noto Engekido (能登演劇堂), performing art center. It started at 1 pm and ended at 4:30 pm or so. First part is kimono fashion show which consisted of 12 scenes, second part was Yoshida brother's Tsugaru shamisen (津軽三味線) performance.

I wore Oshima swatou (大島スワトウ) embroidery at the Scene 1 and Kinsai yuzen (金彩友禅) at Scene 9. Both were blue and beautiful.

2017.12.2

It was slightly raining, but became fine, then rained again, and became fine again.

I came to Wakura onsen (和倉温泉) by express train and to the venue of rehearsal by bus.
This is the fourth kimono fashion show, so I met many model friends today and have become some new friends too.

At night we came to Kagaya (加賀屋) which is said to be the best Japanese style hotel.This is the second time for me stay here. It is like a museum.
I enjoyed delicious foods and onsen (温泉), hot spring.

2017.12.1

A new month has started.
December is jyunigatsu (十二月) or shiwasu (師走) in Japanese.

I can't believe there is only one month left in 2017.

In the morning I visited two shrines, one near my house, the other near my office as a custom of the first day of the month which is called "Otsuitachi mairi (お朔日詣り)."

After work I went to Tokyo station to get on the Hokuriku shinkansen. My destination tonight is Kanazawa. I took 19:24 train arriving at Kanazawa at 21:55.
To my surprise it was full.

I ate seafood sushi for dinner.

It is slightly raining here in Kanazawa.