Piano concert

The most anticipated day of my life was finally here...my son's first ever piano concert performance. It was definitely the most nerve wrecking experience for me. Just imagine all the hard work and heartache...begging him to practice over and over again for the past 2 months. Telling him not to play too fast or at times too slow, or whatever pace depending on his mood. Teaching him how not to run but walk to the stage. Teaching him how to bow the Japanese way. Teaching him to smile and not making funny faces during the presentation. I even made myself promised him that if he didn't make any mistake during the performance, I would get him his dream toy. And he assured me he would not make any mistake.

Despite his confidence with his ability, he had not given any perfect performance yet. Not even during the rehearsal. Ahh...I told myself not to expect too much from him. Trying to keep cool and not spoiling his mood because he seemed to be looking forward to his performance.

Choir performance

I was biting my nails while watching him doing his solo performance.

Solo performance

While waiting for our duet performance

Below was his performance. It started with a solo then later followed by a duet with me.



I must give him the credit. No doubt he was the clown of the day. Making people laughed at his expression and gestures... but, he didn't make any mistake during his performance. He was quite good. I am so proud of him! Yappari anak mama!

Of course, at the end of the day we had to do what we had to do...

We bought him his dream toy...the Optimus prime.

And he...is so happy and already counting the days to his next performance.

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to me!
The 7th of July was my birthday but unfortunately it fell on a weekday so we didn't get to celebrate until yesterday.

So where did we go?

First we went and surveyed for a waterproof video camera. We decided to buy a Sanyo's latest digicam/videocam Xacti DMX-CA100. Yoohoo, so that was my birthday present this year. Thank you darling.


While we were trying to decide between Sushi or udon for dinner, my son pointed at a red building and said that he wanted to go there. It was the Big Echo. A karaoke box. Ah, he must have remembered our last year's celebration. Karaoke for birthday celebration again? Actually we kind of liked it cause my hubby and I both love music very much.


Apart from singing and dining, we did something special too.

Want to guess what we did?


The 'audio' below says it all. Oh, malunya saya.



Yeah...we made a CD. We could record three songs in a CD. Our idea initially was to have each one singing their favourite songs. But, when it was time to record, my hubby backed out saying that he 'malu'. My son, by the end of the session was so restless that he refused to sing. So, since we had paid for the recording... nak tak nak, I had to sing 3 songs. The song that I chose to show above was supposedly to be the best out of three. Haha... not that I am satisfied with the singing at all.

The recording was done without any practicing prior to that. Now, I regretted for not doing any homework or voice training before going there. But then again, I am sure it wouldn't be fun if it was sung perfectly. With the unexpected extra tambourine sound shaken by my son, perhaps a few 'shhhs' to quiet my son from screaming and the 'out of tune' singing by me, it was definitely one special 'birthday present'. Something I could keep and show to my grandchildren later that their grandmother also knew how to have fun! *wink*

Have a nice weekend!

Picnic

Summer is the season when my family and I like to enjoy some outdoor activity.
We, together with other Malaysian students residing in Tokushima had organized a picnic last weekend. It was held in Tsukigatani camp site. One of the popular camp sites in this prefecture with nice scenery and beautiful river stream. Though I had camped here before, that time was just my family, I must say, picnic with a bigger group sure shared more fun and laughter. We also felt safer cause we all watched out for one another. My family might not be here anymore next summer, but we do hope they continue this tradition for as long as they can be.

The camp site was situated in a valley, with beautiful green and clear water. It was nicely kept and the warden was very helpful too. It took us one and a half hours to get there by car.

The main purpose was to 'mandi air'. Just soaked ourselves in the cool water and enjoyed.

We spotted Japanese playing 西瓜割りSuikawari (Watermelon splitting), which is a traditional Japanese game that involves splitting a watermelon with a stick while blindfolded. Played in the summertime, suikawari is most often seen at beaches, but also occurs at festivals, picnics and other summer events. A watermelon is laid out, sometimes on a tarp, and participants one by one attempt to smash it open. Each is blindfolded, spun around three times, and handed a wooden stick, or Bokken to strike with. The first to crack the watermelon open wins. Afterwards the chunks of watermelon produced are shared among participants.






Kids sat together and enjoyed the nature in their own way. Appreciating and preserving the nature at the same time is our obligation. Something I hope Malaysian in Malaysia would have the chance to learn. The soonest the better, before our forest is damaged badly.

After the water activity, the kids occupied themselves with their own games. Hide and seek, basketball, soccer and whatever they found interesting.

We enjoyed it very much. We hope everyone loved it as much as we did. Thank you all for the nice cooperation. Let's do it again some other time.

Admirer

As I was cycling home for lunch, I saw that man.
That man...was someone I met 3 years ago. A man whom I never talked to after one embarrassing incident. And I bet he too, would never want to see me in any possible way.

It started 3 years ago, on a Christmas eve.
My university had organized a Christmas party for the foreign students. As a routine, before the party, they had selected a few foreigners to give talks about their home countries. Needless to say, I was one of the few who had to present. On that day, I remember a few of my Indonesian friends came along with other foreigners from China, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Egypt. During the questioning session, I was asked a few general questions about Malaysia by two Japanese and one man who looked like Arabian to me. The questions were easy. Nothing that I couldn't answer. Anyway, after my presentation, I didn't stay for the Christmas party and left to continue my experiment.


A few weeks after that, while watching TV, my husband asked me something.

Hubby: 'Sayang, remember that day when you gave the presentation? There is one Egyptian guy at my working place who had been bugging me for a Malaysian girl's telephone number. He claimed that he met that girl during that presentation day.'

Me: 'Huh? Really...I didn't realize any other Malaysian that day. But I could be wrong because I was busy with my presentation. However I am quite sure there were a few Indonesians. Could he mistaken an Indonesian for a Malaysian? Why did he want to have that girl's number in the first place?' I asked curiously.

Hubby: 'What else? He is 'angau' la. Claiming that he is in love with that girl. Aiyaa...little bit kesian at him. He has been telling me about this girl for the past few weeks.'

Me: 'Ohh...ok. Let's see, there are only a handful Malaysian girls in the campus and I know all of them. And only one is single. Could it be that he's in love with Miss A?'

Hubby: 'I don't know. But he mentioned that the Malaysian girl gave a talk about Malaysia that day. Who else from Malaysia gave a talk?'

Me: 'Abang...there was only ME! I was the only Malaysian giving talk. Hahaha...Could it be that your friend liked me?' Looking at my hubby, hoping that he's not mad at the situation.

Hubby: 'Hmmm...? hahaha...' My husband laughed away.

Me:'So what are you going to do now? Are you going to tell him that the person he was looking for was your wife?'

Hubby: 'No la...I will just tell him I don't know. Kesian la. How can I tell him straight on the face like that. I just hope that he would cool down with time.'


Well, his guess was wrong.

A few weeks after, during a gathering with Malaysian friends. The ladies gathered and chit chat.

Kak M: 'Hey, I heard you have got an admirer. hahaha'
Me: ' Huh? I have? Who?'
Kak M: 'A young Egyptian man...'
Me' Really...how did you know?'
Kak M: 'You should ask S about it...'
S: Yeah, betul. That man ah...I don't know what he was thinking. His name is M.A. We attend Japanese language class every week together. That day he asked us about a Malaysian girl. Describing the look and everything which we were sure it was you. So I told him off and said that you are married with a son. He ah...aiyaa, he didn't want to believe. We then showed your photo and confirmed him of the reality. Haha...we also told him that your hubby worked at the same part time place as he does. He sounded shock...Kesian but what to do. If I didn't tell him it would escalate. Ish...falling in love with someone's wife is no good.'
Me: Hmm...Never thought a woman married with kids can still have admirer. Hopefully he would find a younger and better woman.' I laughed. But inside my heart, I felt very sorry that we didn't stop him before he made a fool of himself. I felt bad that he had to learn about the truth the hard way.


My hubby told me that M.A had not been working since he knew about the truth. My guess was that he probably was too ashamed to face my husband. My husband on the other hand was quite cool about this. He didn't think it was entirely his fault but he wished that man would do more homework before asking around. Anyway, after a few weeks he reappeared to work and apologized to my hubby. My hubby reassured him that it's alright and encouraged him to find a new love elsewhere. The case was finally closed.

One fine evening, before we slept, I recalled the incident and asked my hubby.


Me: Ayang, about that young man. Why were you so cool all the way . You tak sayang I ke?'
Hubby: Sayang...mana tak sayang. But I see it this way, you are mine. Already mine. Does anything else matter? And besides, he is on the losing end to start with. Why need to waste my energy to stir a fight....hahaha'
Me: ' huh...sombong ya. Nanti I lari dengan orang lain, nangis karang.'
Hubby: 'Hey...do think why I accompanied you here ah? Because I worry one day someone would kidnap you ok. Many dangerous men out there...I am always watching out for you...'
Me: 'hihihi...yalah sayang'

~The End~

Of the affair with Germany new president

Germany has a new president! Just newly elected yesterday.

It's not a norm for me to post anything political as I am not a fan of politics. But I gotta announce this to everyone I know... I have met and shook hand with the Germany's youngest-ever president. Can you believe that? And he was a real hunk too! *wink*


It all happened last year when my boss called us for an emergency meeting and announced that the minister-president (not yet the Germany president) of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) Mr Christian Wulff and his staff had planned on a social visit to Tokushima University. Our University president picked our institute for him to have a brief tour. At that time, we, the students and staff were not at all anxious about his visit. Well, who would want to volunteer to come on a Sunday afternoon? Just to wait for his presence, and pretended as if we were working hard on a Weekend? Anyway, to cut the story short, a few friends and I volunteered to come as everyone else were not keen to sacrifice their precious weekend.
We were assigned to be in charged of a few equipments and machines. What more dramatic was that we were supposed to choose only equipments 'Made in Germany', for example, Leica, to show that we also adored Germany things besides being loyal fans to Japanese. Some sort like 'bodek' to me.

So since we had our detailed schedule, we knew he would reach our building at around 13:00. They came a a few minutes late...but that's acceptable because they are big VIPs we are talking about here. Malaysian VIP? We may have to wait hours. He first visited downstairs room and saw a few equipments before coming to the second floor, where I was assigned to. I was supposed to show him a few images of confocal microscopy. I was waiting patiently when a group of 'orang putih' swarmed to my room and waited for me to teach them something new. Gosh...wait, which orang putih was the minister-president? They all looked the same. Luckily, there was one bodyguard, dressed in black suit squeezed in the way and guided a man to come near to me. I looked at him and thought...he must be the minister president. He definitely looked different and had an aura of charisma with him. I happily showed him the microscope and showed him the pictures I took and asked him to compare the images with the one he was seeing in the microscope. I must say that he was a quick learner because it usually is not easy for a lay person to understand instantly. After a few sessions of questioning and answering, he smiled at me and said, 'Thank you, lady'. I with 'thick face' looked at him, said 'You are most welcome' and automatically extended my hand. He, on the other hand accepted my reaching hands and shook hand with me. I sensed some 'tension' in the eyes of the bodyguards. But I chose to ignore it. *laughs*

As the crowd left for the bus (since my site was the last place he visited), prof came to me and pointed his fingers, 'You! you actually shook hand with him! We who accompanied him from the start did not get to do so. You actually shook hands with him?!' He repeated the statement in disbelief then laughed and left. Probably realizing that nothing is impossible with THIS student of his.


When all of them had left, my friends and I sat down and chit chat. We talked, laughed and teased about the incident. My other friend proudly announced, 'He was trying to pronounce my name and he pronounced it beautifully...'. I remembered him using 'lady' on me and had been wondering why he didn't try pronouncing my name. I looked at my chest and realized the reason instantly. I forgot to wear my name tag! Ceh...if only I remembered to put my name tag on! I would have had my name verbalized by the handsome Germany president to be. *laughs*

Well, I guess nothing is perfect. I couldn't have asked for more and should be thankful to even have met him. Who would have thought he would be the next Germany president? If I knew he would, I would have made sure I had my name tag on and would never have washed my right hand after shaking his hand, ever! *wink*

Choice of words

It has been raining cats and dogs here in Japan since yesterday. My hubby went to work since morning and would only be back at night today. Since there were only two of us, I was not in the mood to cook anything special. Besides, there was nothing but chinese cabbage and fruits in the fridge today. So, I decided to cook maggie noodles + the chinese cabbage for lunch.

I finished my noodles and went off to the sink to wash the utensils. Then I heard my son announced, 'Mama, gochisousamadeshita ( I have enjoyed the meals, thanks)'. I looked at his bowl and found that the chinese cabbage was left untouched. I asked him, 'Aikk...why did you not finish the vege?' He looked at me with his dreamy eyes, 'Mama, datte men ga sugoku oishikatta mon. Onaka ga ippai desu. (mummy, because the noodles were so delicious, I finished the noodles and now I am full)'. I looked at his tummy and I know he was telling the truth. But what I found most amusing was that he didn't use the words like,' I hate vege' or 'Vege not nice'. I am sure if he chose to say that, he would be getting lectures from me. Because he chose to praise the cooking, he escaped the lecture and instead received a big kiss from mummy for praising her cooking though it was just instant noodles!

Happy father's day!

We celebrated father's day at daddy's favorite parfait shop and wrapped up the day with a nice dinner at Fujiya seafood restaurant. We had a blast! Happy father's day and continue being the best father to our kid and kids to be...(wink)