First camping in Japan

Yes, we finally did it last weekend!

After our first and last camping last new year's eve on Matano Lake in Sorowako, we had always wished that we could go camping again. Summer was way too hot -and crowded here. So once the summer holiday finished, papa-chan started buying the camping gear.

We went to a lake in Fuji mountain area. Lake, this time, because Iki wants to play with his wooden boat he brought from Madura haha

Our tent is small but enough for the three of us. We spent a surprisingly comfortable night

Iki really enjoyed it. He helped papa-chan making the tent and preparing the fire

Also helping me cooking

In the morning he excitedly woke up and said' "mom, you can sleep more. I will make the fire and prepare the breakfast"

LOL, wasn't it sweet???

He of course enjoyed the lake, even the "jungle". And he used to hate jungle when we lived in the jungle paradise, Sorowako. How come!!

And God, that campsite had a breathtaking sunset view

The next day we went back to Tokyo after taking a relaxing bath at a hotspring (onsen) nearby, and had a super delicious soba lunch in a small soba restaurant in the middle of pine forrest

It was a great family time (^____^)

Earthquake Safety Training

Earthquake happens a lot in Japan. That is why this modern country is doing its best to minimize the damage. From using high construction technology that would reduce the effect of quake for the buildings, to give regular training to the people so that they could survive the quake.

The safety training here is a serious regular thing to do. They might have it at almost all its skyscrapers. Most importantly also at schools, including kindergarten.

So last week I got letter from Iki's school that there will be a 'quake' at school at 14.29 for students' training.

Iki went home with this outfit. Still thinking that he was in a danger. All kids wore this kind of protection over their heads too. I could hear some younger kids panicked and cried.

It was a good training for Iki and ME. I can't believe my son taught me how to survive from earthquake because I've never had such training in my country (and it has a LOT oh earthquakes too!!)

This is Iki and the protector pillow :)

Summer Holiday

So last this morning I am all alone again after spending 6 weeks with Iki during summer break. Phew, at last I have my own time, but somewhat I feel the house is so empty. Can't believe I am now missing my boy already on the first day he's back to school LOL

We had an incredibly fun summer holiday and did quite a lot activities. 6 weeks is not a short time!!

We went to Surabaya for about 10 days. Had a good family time, refreshing, and eating time. Didn't get the chance to meet a lot of friends this time but I am sure we will go back there again in the future. Happy to have short photo session with my talented girlfriend, Carla.

Iki got a Maduranese wooden boat from my auntie, love it and insisted to bring it back home to Japan by himself though I was against him. There was definitely no space in the suitcase of that boat. So it was tied on Iki's backpack and he carried it himself from Surabaya, during our 7 hours transit in Kuala Lumpur until we arrived safely and exhausted in our little home in Tokyo.

But surprisingly that little wooden boat from Madura was his best memory of this summer's trip to Surabaya ;-). Thank you, Oma Ayis hehehe

Then back in Japan we had a week Obon Holiday. Its one of Japan's most high season holiday so staying at home was the smartest holiday, according to Papa-chan. We managed to drag him out anyway. Staying at home might be smart but it was definitely boring :D

Papa-chan brought us to Kamakura Beach, twice! Because Iki loves beach! He enjoyed playing with the sand,

He discovered that body boat was a real fun, and even tried to teach me how to do it.

We also went to a crowded fireworks festival nearby our house. Iki got really excited to watch the show, too bad I don't have a tripod for my camera to get good photos :(

We spent a whole day going to Chichibu in Saitama area, so that Iki could ride the antique SL locomotive train that has a real funnel with real smokes.

We went to the Dinosaur Museum in Roponggi Hill.

It was great except Iki was upset and got bad mood because he couldn't see his favorite bird dinosaur. I had to send him to naughty corner somewhere in a crowded shopping mall (_ _o)

We went to the Kodomo Natsu Matsuri (Kids Summer Festival) in Omotesando area. Boy we had to walk around in 37C super sunny afternoon. But Iki had fun and did the whole thing himself!

Then at night we went to a summer festival. Iki and papa-chan visited the shrine and did the traditional praying ritual. Iki is big enough to understand to do the whole thing himself this time. He "cleaned up" himself prior to entering the shrine, then can follow papa-chan throwing the coins, pulling the big rope and then praying.

We enjoyed some traditional summer festival game too.

And that Summer Festival was just a nice closure to his Summer Holiday (^____^)

Happy Wedding

We have two celebrations in a year. One is for our marriage in May and the other one is for the wedding party in September. I just realized that I've never wrote anything about our wedding in Surabaya, too busy, I guess :p.

It was a small, beautiful and unforgettable one :) and I love this shot from the party when the girls tried to catch my bouquet.

I completely forgot the September one this year, can't believe I did!

Until we finished our dinner last week on Sept 2, and opened the dessert papa-chan brought home that day!

Thank you, Papa-chan!!!