Random Thoughts

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
- These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman
- This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman
- Currently Reading: Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman

What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month?
- Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens

What special days did I celebrate and how?
- Christmas Lunch with Highschool Friends
- Mica's 7th
- Lui and Edyzon's Wedding
- Christmas Dinner with Old Household
- Isabel's 7th Birthday Party
- Office Christmas Party
- Christmas Day!
- New Year at Singapore and Batam, Indonesia

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
- The kids and I had severe rhinitis this month due to the weather :(

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
- Attended lots of Christmas parties this month!
- Went to Singapore and Batam, Indonesia for New Year celebration

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
- I.AM.KIM.
- Shakey's for Company Dinner
- Serenitea
- Chicken Rice, Milk Tea, Duck, Nasi Lemak, and Lots of Indonesian Food

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
- Not much shopping in Singapore but the kids bought cutie stuff from Smiggle

What have you learned this month?

Right before we get ourselves excited for the New Year's Eve, I would like to share our experience at Umeda Sky Building and here's to hoping we get to watch the fireworks at this super tall building!

The Umeda Sky Building (梅田スカイビル) is a spectacular high rise building in the Kita district of Osaka, near Osaka and Umeda Stations. It is also known as the "New Umeda City".

The 173 meter tall building consists of two main towers which are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers a great view of the city for a 700 yen admission fee.

And it gets even better at night! Watch out for my next post. (*wink*)

Happiness is...

1. Relaxing Weekends
2. Long Break/Vacation
3. Bonding with Family
4. Gifts!
5. M&M's Dark Chocolate
6. More gifts!
7. Hugs and Kisses
8. Swimming time!
9. Holidays
10. L.O.V.E.

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.

Ever since we booked our plane tickets to Osaka months before, Hubby and I started looking forward to the food for months! And now, finally, it was time to try out the famous Jap food - Katsudon.

And boy, it was really, really good!


I can say that the FOOD is the highlight of this wonderful trip!


Will post more about it later! (*wink*)

I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas day. The most awaited day of the whole year!

As for us, gifts were now opened, food were eaten with too much excess (but thankful!), and definitely looking forward to more bonding with our families.

Have yourself a good one, peeps! (*wink*)

After a rainy visit to the Kinku, we were at the train when we saw a park with looots of Cherry Blossom trees. So we went down and checked it out.

The trees were a beauty. We were so glad we discovered this particular park.




Unfortunately the rain made us soaking wet so we needed to go back to our cozy hotel. Will post more about the rest of our first day soon! (*wink*)

For the mean time, ENJOY your CHRISTMAS EVE!

Happiness is...

1. Minimalism
2. Project Life App to capture memories ♥
3. Christmas (my favorite day of the year!)
4. Freshly Brewed Coffee. YUM!
5. Vacation starts soon!
6. Gift of Family
7. Movie time!
8. Bonding with Family over Star Wars
9. Simple blessings
10. Gifts

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.

We woke up so early on our first whole day in Osaka and our breakfast awaits...

When we got out of our hotel, we checked the weather and look what was in store for us...


Well, well, it's going to be a long day.

Our first stop is Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium.





After checking out the aquarium we had a quick glimpse of the Tempozan Ferris Wheel.

Sitting at the mouth of the Osaka Bay is the enormous Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel, formerly the biggest, tallest and most technologically advanced observation wheel in the world (now surpassed by the even more massive British Airways London Eye). From high up in the air you can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea, the mountains, and the entire city of Osaka. On the seaward side is the Akashi Straits Bridge in the distance; on the landward side downtown Osaka and Mt. Rokko. The night view with illumination is so romantic that this Ferris wheel is famous as a date spot. It is 112.5 meters in height, has 60 eight-passenger cars (for a maximum capacity of 480 people), plus the world first "skyrocket fireworks" lighting pattern with illuminations of 100 meters in diameter. It also boasts the world first transmission of weather information by 100-meter-diameter illumination.

Ooooh, stuff....

More dancing songs for you...

Christmas parties, get togethers, reunions, I am definitely feeling the Christmas spirit! Have a good one!

After a long first day in Osaka, we went back to our hotel and look what I found!

It's the Shinsaibashi-Suji strip that I've been reading from travel blogs. Yeah, it is definitley famous and I was so happy to tell you that we were staying a couple of blocks away from this shopping haven.



So yes, I'm definitely going back and I'm definitely checking out UNIQLO! (*wink*)

There's a reason why Cherry Blossoms are one of the popular trees in Japan. They were a beauty.

WE couldn't help but just get photos of each TREE.


I know, funny. But, all the people at the park were doing the same thing! LOL!




These are all so lovely. I'm blessed to having been able to see it in person.


A wonderful creation indeed! ♥♥♥

Happiness is...

1. Happy weekend with friends and family! ♥
2. Freshly brewed coffee
3. The Kids' hugs & kisses
4. Quick Dinner Dates
5. Tacos and Movie Night!
6. Coffee Dates!
7. Milk Tea
8. Christmas Parties ♥
9. Get Togethers
10. Gifts, gifts, gifts!

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.

When we arrived in Osaka, we were in perfect timing! Why? Because it was the first day of the Spring Festival.

Aaaah, the cherry blossoms were gorgeous! ♥♥♥ And with this, the food trip has officially started! (*wink*)




It was windy and cold for our first night but happy that we were able to see the Cherry Blossoms already. Will post more on that later!

Here's another dance song that you might want to dance with today.

Christmas holidays are definitely here! May we all enjoy our holidays with our family. Dance, dance, dance!

Here's another interesting and useful article from www.MomCentre.com that I thought of sharing here. Read on...

By Mariel Uyquiengco

Family vacations are a great way to go away and bond together. There’s just one downside to it that most parents dread… packing. Admittedly, getting ready for a vacation with young kids can be quite daunting. We want to cover travel essentials, boredom busters, and emergency kits, but not bring luggage that we can hardly pull.

Read on for some tips on how to pack for family vacation with your young kids.

1. Pack individual outfits per day

For a vacation spanning several days, it is best to pack outfits – yours and the kids’ – in individual zipped bags. It makes packing laundry easier too. Just label the bags as used or dirty and pile them up in a separate bag.

2. Keep a dedicated toiletry bag with all your travel essentials

For frequent travelers, it is best to have a dedicated toiletry kit to keep from gathering travel essentials each time. Kids should have a dedicated travel bag and toiletry kit for quick packing. Remember to include gum to help little ones pop their ears during take off and touch down.

3. Keep your first-aid kid in your handbag

You don’t want to go running around for bandage adhesives and whatnot when an emergency comes up. Go put a first-aid kit in your handbag to be able to deal with scratches and sudden headaches.

4. Bring sanitizers

Some people cannot leave going to a local restaurant without a hand sanitizer in their bags, what more when you go on vacation and visit various public places? Keep sanitizers handy and ready to spray unwanted germs anytime and anywhere.

5. Pack an extra duffle bag

You never know what you’re going to bring home, so make sure you have a crumpled extra bag somewhere in your luggage that you can hand carry. This will save you for those times when you fail to say no to your kids and you end up buying a lot of stuff. Putting those extras in a bag will keep you from paying for excess baggage.

6. Prepare for delays

Delays during vacations are inevitable - flights get bumped, you get stuck in traffic, or worse still, you get lost. Prepare for delays with extra clothes, diapers, and food. Being prepared is one less stressor in case schedules get jumbled.

7. Activity sets to keep kids occupied

Kids need to learn how to entertain themselves, and providing them with activity sets that they can do in transit can help them accomplish this. As they grow older, they can already choose and pack the activities that they think will keep them occupied

For little ones, bring out the magic show and blow some bubbles to keep them entertained. This will chase away the “Are we there yet?” question and make you something like a hero to your little ones.

8. Dress your kids in bright solid-colored shirts

Dress up your kids in easily identifiable clothing such as bright-colored shirts with matching backpack or luggage. This makes keeping an eye on them in crowds practical and easy.

SOURCE.

Hubby and I were so looking forward to this trip for months! It was a trip to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We booked through Cathay Pacific Airlines so we had to stopped over in Hongkong for a few hours.

It was a quick stop and happy to be able to try the congee.


Yes, this trip is all about the F.O.O.D.!



After boarding again to Kansai Airport, we were served with this yummy meal.


Watch out for more stories and photos about our anniversary trip to Osaka/Kyoto, Japan soon! (*wink*)

Happiness is...

1. Happy Weekend!
2. Parties, parties, parties! ♥♥♥
3. Gift of long time friends
4. Work
5. Family
6. Hot Milk Tea!
7. Weekends
8. Quick Naps
9. eBooks
10. Vacations

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.