#3

2 Learning Points:
1. Do not jump up the Ladder of Inference. It could cost you a life.
2. They do not sell rubber in Japan (or Hakone's) convenience stores.

This test was taken on 22 Apr 2010. In the office.

I didn't really feel like going out for lunch. So decided to pack. As I passed by Watson's, clouds formed in my head. Should I just buy one and test? I picked the cheapest kit from the shelf.

As I returned to office, I didn't even care about the lunch. I tested in the toilet. Left the stick in on the table while I log on, pretending not to care. When the results showed, my head was in a muddle, my thoughts jumbled up. I tried reading the instructions over and over again, but the words just flew past my head. My hands were trembling.

My colleague, A, was in the office. I asked her to read the instructions. And to see my stick.

"It says you're pregnant."

So here comes #3.

Tokyo (21 Mar 2010 - 1 Apr 2010)

Another free-and-easy trip to Japan, this time Tokyo! Would be my third trip there. Unlike our Hokkaido trip, we didn't do a fly-drive as it was not worth doing so in Tokyo. Getting around was fairly easy. We also made a 2-day trip to Hakone, which was a lovely quaint place. Should have spent more days there.

When we arrived at Narita Airport, we went to buy NEX tickets to get to Shinjuku station. When the train arrived, we promptly got up and found ourselves four seats. We settled in comfortably. Until someone came and mentioned apologetically that we have taken his seat. What? You mean the seats are assigned? We had no clue. What was revealed to us next gave us a big shock.

The car we were in was not headed for Shinjuku but another city! We had one more station's time to get ourselves (plus 2 big luggages, 1 stroller and one big backpack) across 5 cars before the train split. Either we make a mad dash when the train pulled over, or we start shifting ourselves. We decided on the latter.

We brought the kids and the stroller over first. Then Clem went back to pick up the 2 luggages. I was so worried that he couldn't make it in time and we'd be headed towards different cities. Thank God he did!

Hotels

I booked several hotels through Wotif, which was wonderful for I can see the rates going at different periods of time. If we were to book more than three days, usually there is a special rate.

The first 4 nights, we stayed at Citadines Shinjuku apartments, which was 15-20 min walk to Shinjuku station or 5 min walk to Shinjuku-Sanchome station. I liked it as it was spacious, with a kitchenette and a living area. I could cook there and there was an area for us to have our supper. There's also a park nearby which was great for a walk and pictures. If we walk down to Shinjuku station, we will pass by a lot of eateries and a Hello Kitty shop.



We stayed at different hotels as we wanted to explore different areas in Tokyo. We spent 2 nights in Asakasa Sunroute, 1 night in Hakone Suimeisou and the remaining in Sunroute Shinjuku. It was a lot of hassle carting our luggages and barang on the train. When we made the trip to Hakone, we parked our stuff at Sunroute Shinjuku and used one luggage.

Hakone

We wished we stayed longer here. There were many things to explore. By the time we reached Hakone after a 2-hour ride on the Odakyu train, it was past noon. By the time we got out it was almost 4pm and had started snowing.

Cavan was so excited, he began twirling round and round to catch the falling snowflakes while we waited for the bus at the bus stop. There was a group of Singaporean young adults there and they absolutely adored Cavan! When the bus came, there was slight trouble - Verity had fallen asleep on the stroller and we had to fold the stroller. So I carried Verity up while Clem carried the stroller and handled Cavan. Thankfully people gave up their seats to us.

Before long, the bus was stuck on the road as it tried to make its way uphill. Apparently, it was snowing so hard, vehicles kept slipping down the road. We were in limbo. I tried to understand what the driver was communicating. We were stuck on the bus for almost 2 hours. I got quite worried, whether we would be able to get back in that snow. It was past our dinner time. A kind Korean lady gave Cavan some rice crackers. Worse still, Cavan started complaining that he was feeling urgent.

Eventually I got news that the bus couldn't travel anymore. We had to get off and walk to the nearest train station which was 25 min away. Quite challenging to walk in the snow, pushing the stroller, holding the umbrella. First we had to find a toilet for Cavan and stopped by a convenience store. 

Finally we got to the train station and while waiting, Clem and the kids had fun snowfighting. What a day! We so enjoyed the rest of the time in Hakone because of the snow.

Checking out the opening hours for the hot bath since we paid bath tax, must make full use!

Love this. Some mochi stuff with brown sugar syrup

Our breakfast served in room

Eating ice cream on a cold day is fun!

He, Japanese boy?

We encountered a hilarious incident. We were walking into an elevator in Takashimaya when a lady (in her late twenties) gushed over Cavan saying to her male companion "Look, Japanese boy, so cute!" She was undoubtedly a Singaporean as I recognised the accent. Then she went on to ramble about cuteness of Japanese kids, using Cavan as a reference.

I was not about to correct her, to avoid embarrassment, and to let her carry on with her adoration. Anyway, we won't see each other again.

THEN, Cavan blurted out, "Aiya, my leg veli itchy. I want to scratch!"

I didn't know how to respond. The lady's look was priceless. I didn't know who was more embarrassed - she or me.

I still laughed over that incident.

Strollers and Elevators

In Japan, they were very strict about strollers not going on the escalator. We travelled with a stroller and spent most of our time looking for an elevator. It was a major hassle! The elevators were situated at ends of buildings, sometimes another building!

Tired of walking about looking for it sometimes, Clem would carry up the stairs, with either one kid sleeping in it, with loads of winter clothes piled on.

Other times, we simply pushed the stroller up the escalator. Japanese frowned at such an act as if it were an abominable sin. We learnt to be thick-skinned. Afterall we are tourist. Certain rules do not apply to us. (Ok bad tourist)

I vowed to Clem the next time we travel, we needn't use the stroller anymore! The kids would have outgrown the stroller. At most for winter clothes, we'll lug a cabin luggage to walk around. More mobile than a stroller. Hurray!


Places

The kids had fun in Disneyland. But they feared the fireworks so they practically had their eyes and ears covered. What a waste!

Puroland is a place where girls will go gaga. Verity had fun exploring Hello Kitty's house. I couldn't resist buying the stuff too!

Inokashira Park Zoo was a nice place for kids to get close to small animals. A nice walk in the great weather!

Other usual places such as Odaiba, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya (with the 7- storey toy shop) etc. I'm starting to miss Japan already!

Supper

We had supper every night in the hotel room. It was fun to get all sorts of munchies and Japanese beverages and just chill in the hotel room. The supermarket usually slash their food prices by as much as 50% sometimes so we couldn't resist!

These are the snapshots of the trip. Till the next one!

Touched

I have been touched by my children.

Just last 2 months when Clem was overseas, I slept with the 2 kids on our bed. We usually would take turns to pray before going to sleep. It was very sweet to hear the children's prayers, as they would pray whatever came to their mind.

Cavan: Dear God, I miss Daddy. I pray he will be safe and come back soon. Lord, I pray he will not go to USA because then we cannot see Daddy. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Verity: Dear God, I love Daddy forever the more. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

One night, Cavan got up to pee. As he returned to the bed, he actually placed the blanket over me and kissed me on my cheek. I was so filled with emotion that I reached over and gave him a hug and a kiss. Then he whispered, "I love you, mommy."

A few nights ago, I was touched by Verity. This feisty gal does not display as much affection as her brother. Cavan hugs and kisses easily. And he is always full of loving words. At most Verity would just follow suit.

That night, when it was her turn to pray, she said,

"Dear God, I pray mommy not work late and not tired. Then we can play monkey. I also pray for kor kor, that no cough and no need to eat pi par kao. In Jesus' Name, Amen!"

I was not expecting this at all. She was un-guided and used the little words she knew. But she expressed her prayer with such love and sincerity, I couldn't believe it came from a two-year-old.

I am truly amazed how at such a tender age, she understood what a prayer was and what it meant to talk to God. And she knew about putting a request before God.

From these, I could see that it was God working in their lives. His Spirit reaches the hearts of the children. Verity couldn't have understood the concept of prayer as it was an abstract action. But she was able to, because she was led by the Spirit of God.

Truly, I give thanks to God. For showing Himself through the children. As much as I am touched, I am also humbled.

Sushi Making for Kids

I stumbled upon a sushi making tool during Toys Fair at Taka. I was totally sold by the demo video and told Clem to buy it. He gave the box a look of disbelief and asked if it was a toy. No, I replied adamantly. It can help to make sushi beautifully. Watch the video! The usual sucker-me dragged him to see the evidence.

Yeah! Clem bought the thingy for me since it was not very ex. So no heart pain even if it doesn't work. He said he thought he only needed to buy toys for 2 kids. Now got extra kid. Hey, it's not a toy ok! I retorted.

The kids and I were so excited, we decided to make sushi for breakfast the next day.

Simple ingredients: our usual Calrose rice (just like short-grain Jap rice, except that it's not ex), canned tuna, denbu (the sweet, pink powdered codfish), sushi vinegar and seaweed.

First spread rice, tuna and denbu

Then, roll seaweed in and turn knobs

Yummy sushi done! Hassle-free! Mess-free! No more rice sticking on your hands!

You make, I eat

It was really fun and easy. Cavan had loads of fun rolling the sushi. We ended up eating so much carbo for brekkie! Even for dinner later that day, we brought the thing to our inlaws' as Cavan wanted to eat his dinner rolled up. He rolled his rice, eggs and meat in seaweed and ate.

Whatever. As long as he eats his meals.

meet-and-greets

I didn't understand why people bothered to queue and wait for 15-20 min shows at shopping malls, to see prancing cartoon characters on stage. You can watch from the side, can't you?

When we were dating, I told Clem there was no way I would queue up for these in future, if we had kids.

When we had Cavan, I said Clem could queue and watch the show with our kid and I'd go shopping.

I ate my words recently. Double portion.

We joined the queue and I SAT IN at the show. And I had my picture taken with Thomas and the Fat Controller.

To be honest, I was even the one who suggested it. Seeing the ads in the papers that Thomas and Friends would be staging meet-and-greet at Marina Square, my first response was, "I must bring the kids there!"

And I was the one kiasu about the whole thing. I wanted to go for the earlier session at 11am, since the kids usually wake up really early anyway. So I planned our marketing and breakfast time, so we could get to MS really early. We reached there slightly before 10am.

We hung around the stage area and never stepped outside THE ZONE. When Clem suggested we went elsewhere, I snapped and said, "What? We came all the way for the show. What if we couldn't get in the show when the queue grew?"

Half an hour before the show, the area was cordoned off and lanes were prepared for queues. There was no one queueing. Then, a pair of siblings sat at the start of the lane. I hastened Clem to join in behind them. So there he was, with Cavan at 2nd position. I was mighty pleased.

Our kiasu act prompted everyone else to follow suit. Soon, the queue snaked round and round.

We got to sit in the first row on the floor! I felt a great sense of achievement! I participated as eagerly answering trivial bits about Thomas and Friends and toot-tootering away with the audience.

As I sat at the square and saw people around, suddenly I was brought to mind those things I said before about meet-and-greets! What a change of mentality I have now...

Can't deny the fact that kids can change you. Anything we'd do to see their happy faces. All worth it!