Change

I always feel terrible that I don't dedicate as much time as I should to this site. My creative moments really are rare, and so I've decided to change directions.

For the past two years, my hubby and I have been wanting to create a travel review website. I've put it on the backburner, but this past summer, I've decided to go ahead and do it. Check out the blog, traviews, and let me know what you think (on that site). Oh, and if you so happen to want some cute candy wrappers, birth announcements, or holidays cards (or any other stationary item), holler at me. I'd love to design them for you!

Candy-wrapped candy bars that I designed for my friend's baby shower last month.

Rest Stops :: Japan 1 USA 0

My family and I stopped at a rest stop on our way to Nikko; and we were amazed with how NICE it is compared to any rest stop in the States. When you are arrive, there are parking attendants directing you to your parking spot (Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of them because it happened all too quickly. Perhaps on our next rest stop adventure.).

The last time I took a road trip in the States, and we stopped at a rest stop, it was just restrooms and a few benches for you to hang out. It was nothing compared to this!I love that Japan has designated smoking areas, so I don't have to be around people blowing it in my face as they/I walk by. Contain those lung cancer carcinogens to yourselves!

The best part of this rest stop? Starbucks. Look how clean the outside dining area is!

The Food Court

Sounds good. Looks good. Tastes good.
"Thank you very much for purchasing today." Polite in almost every way (almost because they're not always polite in the trains).

So cute that they wear baker's hats!

Not a great picture, but there are mini marts on both sides of the walkway.

Map of the expressways, and I'm pretty sure it was giving up-to-date traffic information.

I love that recycling is a big part of their every day life here.

Blurry, but this is a photo of the women's restroom. Does it look like there's a feather on the floor?

Blue denotes vacant, and red is in use.

Insert Fish Parts ONLY!

I was hanging out at Redondo Beach Pier last May when this pelican decided to plop down and rest for a bit on this stand. It was too funny that I had to take a photo!

Dirty Mind

When I first glanced at the "Esthetic" sign while traveling in Asakusa today, I thought the Japanese had dirty minds. Apparently, it's me who has a dirty mind. I didn't understand that it was advertising a spa/salon until I saw the rest of building.

Happy Independence Day!

"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits." -Thomas Jefferson

Happy Independence Day from Japan!

A Jungle Party

This year, we were able to celebrate my oldest son's birthday with family and friends while we were visiting them in California. Tristan loves animals and being outside, so I thought that a jungle theme party at the park would be perfect. I've attended lots of parties at parks, but it was my first time hosting a party at the park. The picnic areas by the play area were first-come, first-served; so we arrived as early as we could to grab an area, 5:45am (6 am is when the park "officially" opens) and the party didn't start until 11!

Because I didn't have the comfort of my own home, printer, and supplies, I decided to grab practically every thing from Party City. They had a Jungle Animals theme, and the animals were so cute I went with it! I wanted to keep the decorations simple, so I just bought the letter banner and festive green tablecovers. My aunt kept pressuring me to buy balloons, but my husband and I deprive our children of them ever since Tristan's well baby checkup at 6 months when the pediatrician told us to not let him play with balloons because if an inflated/broken balloon is ingested there is NO ONE who could save him. You may think we may be overprotective parents, but our children's lives come first.

If you've ever been to a Filipino-hosted party, then you know there's A LOT of food. If you only have 10 guests, they have enough food for 50. I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. I'm actually low-balling it. Near the end of the party, you realize that there's still a lot left, so guests are made to leave with food (actually they love it--this was my experience with Tristan's baptism reception). Living in Japan, though, I've learned to not be wasteful, so I didn't want to have a large amount of food present. The menu was fruit (strawberries, grapes, pineapple, and cantaloupe), chips & salsa, lumpia (fried spring roll), chinese chicken salad, pancit (noodles), bulgogi BBQ, lechon kawali (crispy pan-fried roasted pork), and rice.


I love Filipino dessert, and because I don't know where to find good Filipino dessert other than Southern California (yes, I know, the Philippines, too, but who knows when we'll visit), I made sure it was on the table, too! On the left is sapin-sapin (a rice and coconut dessert), and on the right is puto (steamed rice cake). These are just two of my favorites! I'm craving them again as I speak, er, type.


I wish I had a better shot of the favors, which is on the right of the picture. I filled the Jungle Animals loot bags with sunglasses, bubbles, a ball, and candy for the kids. I found this cute round bin at Target for only $2.50 to hold them (you can kind of see it behind the cake a 3 photos below).

Probably wondering what the bat is doing on the gifts table? It's for the pinata, of course! It was between the Jungle Animals lion or Curious George, and I chose Curious George because I thought a monkey hanging from the tree made better than the lion (plus, it was bigger).
I must say, this is the cutest birthday cake ever! It reminded me of "Ace of Cakes." My family friend, Roselle, does this as a hobby, and I'm so glad she was able to bake this delicious strawberry cake for Tristan. It was more than I could ever ask for! Thank you, Roselle!
Here's the birthday boy! I think the sweat dripping off his skin is an indication of how much fun he had. Happy 2nd Birthday, Tristan!
Thank you to all our wonderful family and friends that celebrated his special day with us. And a special thanks to all my "event photographers," especially Uri, for freezing memories for us!