Just For A Week

Dear Friends,

Kizuna will be on blog leave for a week--- I' m not feeling well lately and having a severe headache which is unusual for me... I' m going to the hospital for a check-up today. I also have to finish the bazaar project( hope to finish them this week ) and attend meetings at Wakaba' s school. I just wish I could have more time to visit you guys but I'm afraid they're not letting me to(T_T) Too many things to do with too little time left for me....


Thanks for visiting Kizuna and for dropping a comment and a line or two at my message box. I do really appreciate them. Thank you very much!!


Clarissa ^_^

Personality Test Tag

Thanks to Mommy Seiko of Seiko' s Diary for this fun tag!! I enjoyed this tag!!^_^

The rules are simple:
1. Open this website: Personality Test
2. Take the Personality Quiz. (It's very short and easy really!)
3. Copy paste the result to your blog.
4. Tag as many friends you can and link to the friend who tagged you!

And here' s my Personality Test result ( ayokong mabuking sana!! ) ^_^


Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.

Your readiness to commit a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:

You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.

Your views on education:

You may not like to study ( very true! ) but you have many practical ideas. You listen to your own instincts and tend to follow your heart, so you will probably end up with an unusual job.

The right job for you:

You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.

How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous.

What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.

Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

I' m tagging:
1: Mr. David Funk of Basic Bloganomics
2: Shaine of D Anjhels Scraps of Life
3: Ate Cecille of Kitchen the Heart of Our Home
4: Mommy Ceres of The Work that I Do is the Play that I Love.
5: Shydub of Simply Happy Life
6: GeneJosh of Her and History
7: Mommy Jac of Mom' s Special Diary
8:Mommy Chris of Mommy Journey
9: Ate Rose of Rose's Obstacles and Glories
and
10: Dhemcy of My Life' s Perception and Inspiration

Please feel free of grabbing the tag!! Happy Blogging!! ^_^

Food Trip Friday--Homemade Hamburger Steak

My entry for Food Trip Friday---Homemade hamburger steaks.

For Food trippers join us here. Chibugan na!!! \(^0^)/

Mommy Moments

It' s Friday again and today' s theme is: School Days

Wakaba and Haruka shared the same and a catholic school here in Japan and it' s only a 15 minutes walk right from our home!! We' re glad to find a school for them to go the time we moved in our new apartment. I' m so worried about sending them to school because we are into adjustment period in our new environment, and no friends at all. Wakaba is currently enrolled in kindergarten and Haruka is now at preschool. At their school, all children have to play outside ( or indoors ) and to do some skill work and their teachers shows to parents what children will be learning on the ' Observation Day ' given. And of course, teachers updates parents on own child development. They practice washing their hands and a gargle with water after playing outdoors.They are required to have more responsibility at school--- learn to self-organize, maintaining the classroom and also required to serve lunch. At their school, they have a so-called ' onigiri no hi ' means eating rice ball only for lunch every Monday, a full lunch at school ( which is nutrious ) every Tuesday and Wednesday and a home made obento ( lunch box ) every Thursday and Friday. And of course, I have to do the same obento for Haruka--she' ll get cranky otherwise lol! And Haruka is attending a twice a week course at preschool for 2 hours and of course I have to be there,too!



( click play to view )


Wakaba will start her gradeschool next year---can' t wait to see her in her new randoseru!! While Haruka will start her kindergarten next year and she will be using her big sissy's uniform ! They really are growing up so fast!!\(^0^)/

Please share your Mommy Moments and stories-- join us here. We' d love to hear from you! ^_^

One Word Meme

Grabbed this tag from Ate Cecille of Life is Good and Beautiful and Mommy Ceres of The Work that I Do is the Play that I Love. Thanks for letting me grab ' em!!\(^0^)/

USING ONLY ONE WORD! It’s not as easy as you might think! Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers. Be sure to tag the person who sent it to you!


1. Where is your cell phone? Vanished


2. Your hair? Black


3. Your mother? Great


4. Your father? Heaven


5. Your favorite food? Shrimps


6. Your dream last night? Swing


7. Your favorite drink? Beer


8. Your dream/goal? Peace


9. What room you are in? Living


10. Your hobby? Cooking


11. Your fear? Height


12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Philippines


13. Where were you last night? Home


14. Something that you aren’t? Cool


15. Muffins? Sweets


16. Wish list item? Dehumidifiers


17. Where you grew up? Dumaguete


18. Last thing you did? Hop


19. What are you wearing? Ring


20. Your TV? HDD


21. Your pets? None

22. Friends? Internet


23. Your life? Contented


24. Your mood? Happy


25. Missing someone? Clarence


26. Car? Honda


27. Something you’re not wearing? Stocking


28. Your favorite store? Saty


29. Your favorite color? Black


30. When is the last time you laughed? Today


31. Last time you cried? Yesterday


32. Who will resend this? Myself


33. One place that I go to over and over? Supermarket


34. One person who emails me regularly? Grace


35. My favorite place to eat? MO's

I'm tagging

1: Bambie
2: Ate Kim
3: Mommy Seiko
4: Mommy Chris
5: Ate Rose
6: Dhemz
7: Grace
8: Rosell
9: Niko
10: Dee

Happy Blogging!!^_^

Heartful Thanks!!!

I would like to give a heartful thanks to sweet Bambie of Azumi Kawaii Princess Story for sending kawaii gifts to Wakaba for her birthday. I tend to surprise her but she surprised me instead!! \(^0^)/ Received a notice from takkyubin ( door-to-door delivery services in Japan) saying that I have a parcel but it was already late in the evening coz we just got back from my In- Laws home so I decided to call the takkyubin on the other day. I was thinking that maybe I won another freebie again from Triumph ( my 2nd ) because I didn' t order something on-line. But was surprised when I saw Bambie' s name and it' s from Tokyo!! I love her gifts to Wakaba and to me,too!! Thank you very much, Bambie!! Really am surprised!! \(^0^)/ ありがとう　ございました！！

Thanks for this wonderful gifts for Wakaba!!
And for me!!
Gap Kids

Wakaba wearing Bambie' s present--- she looks good on it!^_^



Please feel free of visiting her site--you' ll fell in love with her as she tackles her Motherhood to her lil Azumi and her life here in Japan! And guess what? She made the beautiful Kizuna button, too!!^_^

Wakaba' s 6th Birthday Celebration

Wakaba chan, now 6!!

Wakaba celebrated her 6th birthday last June 7, 2009--- Wakaba wanted a homemade cake for her birthday and so we made the sponge cake ahead in the morning to cool down and decided to do the decoration after watching her favorite women' s soccer team, Mareeze ( Fukushima )---Nadeshiko League ( Japanese women' s soccer league ) here in Japan. This time with Mareeze' s game versus the Yunogo Belle ( Okayama ), the Mareeze team won 2 - 1 !!\(^0^)/Wakaba was the one who' s glad to their winning! Wakaba wanted all the team members sign so we waited after the game and after seeing them cooling down we were luckily enough to get all the members sign most especially Maruyama Karina, a forward and Wakaba' s favorite player. She' s the reason why Wakaba decided to join soccer team at school this year. I don' t know until when but we wanted her to do whatever she wanted to do to explore, find and follow her dreams and us, always here to to support her all the way.

Mari chan-- Mareeze' s team mascot
before the game
Mareeze fans and supporters at the grandstand
2 P.M. kick- off!!!
# 10 Forward -- Maruyama Karina

We didn' t have much time to go to the supermarket after the game and we still have cake decorations to do and we decided to make something of what' s inside our fridge and stocks. Wakaba and Haruka did the decorations ( with my support) then after that I started to cook for dinner. Made some meat pasta, chicken with corn and asparagus white stew as soup, a veggie salad ( our meal isn' t complete without veggie salads ) and potato with egg, spinach, anchovy gratin--- finding myself cooking for more than 4 persons lol!! Wakaba blowed her candles, opened the gifts from us and from her Grand Parents and walloped the foods in no time. Wakaba had so much fun on her 6th birthday and so are we! ^_^

Haruka and Wakaba busy doing some cake decorations--- before
after!!! Another home made birthday cake for Wakaba!! ^_^
The celebrant and her lil sister

Special Birthday dinner at home for an extended birthday celebration

I would like to give thanks to all my friends who extended their birthday greetings to my daughter. Thank you all so much!! ^_^

Happy Father' s Day!!

Myspace Fathers Day Comments & Graphics

When your children love you, every day is Father' s Day! ^_^ Happy Father' s Day to all Dads around the world!!

More Awards to Keep From Friends!!

Receiving awards from friends here at blogosphere can make me smile!! Thank you so much, Mr. David Funk of Basic Bloganomics and Shaine of D Anjhels Scraps of Life and Ate Cecille of Kitchen the Heart of Our HomeThank YOU so much!!

I' m passing this great awards to my friends here at blogosphere!! Happy Blogging!! ^_^

Food Trip Friday--Tofu Steak

Tofu Steak

Are you expecting some beef steak to this blog? Duh! I'm only posting some easy and light to the budget menus here^_^ Sometimes, it' s hard when it comes on budgeting--and tofu is my kind of cook.My family loves tofu and aside from that, it is also healthy.Here' s the recipe--

Ingredients: ( good for 4 persons )


Tofu ( bean curd )- 2 cakes

Garlic - 2 cloves, small

Bacon - 4 pcs

Boiled asparagus - 3 pcs ( thawed, if frozen )

Salt and ground black pepper - small amount

Olive oil, flour

Sake - 2 tablespoon ( if you don' t have sake, use white wine )

Soysauce - 2 tablespoon


Directions:

1: Drain tofu, wrapped in dish towel ( paper towel ), press something heavy to squeeze out excess water for 15 - 20 minutes

2: Cut tofu into 4 equal pieces in every cake, sprinkle salt and ground black pepper

3: Dust tofu with flour

4: Slice garlic, bacon and boiled asparagus into pieces

5: Heat olive oil in a skillet, put on dusted tofu and stir fry for 3 minutes over medium heat, turn over. Set aside when done

6: Clean skillet with paper towel, put olive oil and garlic, start heat at low, then add bacon, stir fry for a while, then add boiled asparagus, stir fry for 2 minutes

7: Add sake, soysauce, simmer for 2 minutes

8: Arrange cooked tofu into the platter then put over sauce on top. Sprinkle some ground black pepper ( for those who have kids--small amount only, please )


See, it' s easy and healthy, too!! Enjoy your meal! ^_^


For Food trippers join us here. Chibugan na!!! \(^0^)/

MOMMY MOMENTS

Today' s theme: That' s My Dad!!


Wakaba and Haruka' s Dad--- A great provider, a buddy, a comforter, a protector, a funny, loving and caring ideal father. Wakaba and Haruka is so lucky to have his Dad because he is fond of doing fun stuffs even though their father is crazy over his work and sometimes get tired but then still find time on family bonding.




( click play to view )

Please share your Mommy Moments and stories-- join us here. We' d love to hear from you! ^_^

Another Awesome Award and Fun Tag

In celebrating of one year anniversary of blogging, Mommy Jac of Mom' s Special Diary made this award to be passed to her friends. Thank you very much, Mommy Jac and congratulations to you.^_^



Begin Copy

Here's the simple rules:
♥ Take your award and put the logo on your post.
♥Link the person who awarded you.Remember each recipient of the award should acknowledge the person who honored them and go to Mom's Special Diary to copy and paste the award.
♥Put your own blog title and link.
♥Nominate at least five deserving moms.

1. Mom's Special Diary 2.Kizuna3. Your Next.

End Copy

I' m passing this award to DEE ,MOMMY ROSSEL ,MOMMY EDEN, MOMMY GRACE

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Received a fun tag from ATE ROSE of Obstacles and Glories and ATE CECILLE of Small and Simple Things. Thank you so much!! I enjoyed this one!!\(^0^)

Here are the rules:

1. Take this quiz.
2. Post the result in your site.
3. Acknowledge My Daily Thoughts and Moods by writing her link in number one of your list, followed by yours and then proceed to link other friends whom you would like to know their names in 1950s. Go back to this page, to be added in the list and so you can copy and add to your list those who are listed here. Come on, make this a long list of fun. The first one has been done for you. My name in the 1950s is Gwendolyn Silvia, yikes, seems like I don't like my name, then. Try yours. This is a booster to increase our technorati, too.

Your 1950s Name is: Loretta Connie

What's buzzin, cuzzin?

What's Your 1950s Name?

My 1950s Name is: LORETTA CONNIE


What's Your 1950s Name?

1. Imelda (My Daily Thoughts and Moods) - Gwendolyn Silvia 2. - Cecile (Down Home with the Kenyons) - Dorothy Charlene - 3. Shydub (Simple Happy Life) - Phyllis Janie - 4. Rose (Rose's Obstacles and Glories) - Frances Yvonne - 5. Jacris (Mom's Special Diary) - Naomi Janie - 6. Clarissa ( Kizuna )- Loretta Connie -7.You're next

I' m passing this tag to all who wants to join the fun!!HAPPY BLOGGING!!^_^

Tsuruga- jo Castle --A Golden Week Episode

Tsuruga- jo Castle is one of the biggest castles in eastern Japan.

I know, I know--- It' s not cool to go other places on Golden Week holiday most especially on some tourist spots here in Japan... Golden Week means over- flowing of people going on vacation and clogging the roads and hey, the ETC is almost half the price and the toll fee from the highway is only 1,000 yen on holidays! ( that' s why most of the people is taking the opportunity to travel most especially on GW ) And so as we travelled from the highway took us 3 hours from our place just to get there ( as expected ). We' re glad that Wakaba and Haruka didn' t get cranky or something and enjoyed our trip ^_^ The inside of the castle tower is a museum--- some floors in the musuem does not allowed a camera inside in which I have seen the Family crests of the castle lords, a real Katana and Kabuto and some features of the Tsuruga-jo castle that interests me.




Tsuruga-jo Castle

Inside the museum ---you can try on a kimono

during the time of the battle
Aka Beko

Kami Tobi--- paper hawk ( isn' t it cool?? )

Tea Ceremony Room Rinkaku --- you can order a cup of tea with snack ( mochi ) for 500 yen

The view at the top of the castle


At the Castle Gallery and shop --- Geta ( Japanese slippers )



History

It began in 1384 when ASHINA Naomori built Higashi Kurokawa Yakata.It was rebuilt by ASHINA Moriuji who made the prototype of the present castle.In 1591, a 7-story castle was constructed by GAMO Ujisato, who named it Tsuruga-jo. After it was damaged by the big earthquake of 1611, KATO Akinari repaired it and constructed a 5-story castle like the present one in 1639.In 1868, during the Boshin Civil War, in which the imperial army fought the Tokugawa Shogunate Regime, the castle was attacked by troops of the new goverment who were in support of the Meiji Restration and in 1874 it was finally demolished.IN 1934, the castle ruins were declared a national historical site as Wakamatsu-jo castle. The current castle tower was rebuilt on the original site with the support of the local citizens, in 1965.

Source:
Tsuruga-jo Official Website

Awesome Awards From Awesome Friends!!

Received an award from Mr.David Funk of Basic Bloganomics for being a follower of his blog---Thank you so much!!!^_^ And took the liberty of grabbing again for some of my lovely friends coz I am their follower and I love visiting them, too. Please feel free of visiting Ate Rose , Ate Cecille , Dee and Grace . My beloved friends here at blogosphere. Thank you so much!! ^_^

And receiving awards from newly found friends like Shydub of Simply Happy Life, GeneJosh of Her and History puts a smile on my face!! Thank you so much for your friendship and for being friendly! ^_^

I' d like to pass this award to all of my friends coz YOU all deserve this award! Happy Blogging!!^_^

( note: For those who have passed me the same award but not included in the list, please let me know. Medyo uugod- ugod na kasi ang Lola nyo, pasencya na po. )

Food Trip Friday---Moet&Chandon

Wedding Anniversary last January 29
How about a bottle of bubbly nectar to feel the sparkle of the champange?
with my homemade cake

We celebrated our 7th year Wedding Anniversary at home last January 29 and it is only the time to be luxurious ( for us )--- MOET & CHANDON champange, the best sparkling wine I have ever tasted!! I love the Imperial Rose the most but this time the Brut Imperial. You will find Moet & Chandon toasting in some film festivals, sports cups or on any occassions to celebrate. And oh, at F1, too!! ^_^
Indulge yourself and feel some bubbly sensation with MOET & CHANDON.


For Food trippers join us here. Tomaan na!!! \(^0^)/
( I mean, Cheers lol! )