First Time in Tokyo (We had a BLAST)

  June 2015   Our first trip to Tokyo turned out to be one of the most awesome, unique and memorable experience. We couldn't help but fell in love with this country and her people in no time. The whole experience was far beyond our expectations. We highly encourage you to visit Japan once in a lifetime.   We miss waking up to see a beautiful and clean city.   We miss walking to the train station every morning with 100 other Tokyo office workers in the business district area   We miss the excitement of exploring and getting lost in this city   We miss trying out new food   We miss the incredible Japanese hospitality and kind people we had met and known during this trip.   We miss you, Tokyo   Photo Diary and full info about traveling to Japan for the 1st time will soon follow. I can't wait to share the unique experiences that we had : )

Dad's home cooked meals

Home cooked meals bring back a mix of emotions such as comfort, childhood memories, familiarity, warmth and much more. At this point I feel no one can imitate my dad's cooking. It is something I have always anticipated. I could care less about eating out at the restaurants, all i want is the food he cooks. Looking back at the photos I took three years ago during our last visit, they only make me hungry.

When I was younger, food was just food. He cooked and my brothers and I ate. All we knew was that everything was delicious and our tummies were full. We didn't really appreciate or think much about anything else as kids. As soon as my dad got home from work, he didn't even get the time to sit or rest. He went straight to the kitchen and started cooking dinner for three hungry pigs. Since my mother always worked late, my dad put on a hat of a Mr. Mom.

Now that I am a mother, I look back and realize how tiring that could be. The minute I come in. I put my stuff down and start cooking after an 8 hour day at work. No time to rest (not even a shower until dinner is ready for a little one). Life is not easy when one spouse is at work while other has to care for a child alone. When I see my parents this time, I want to let them know how much I appreciate what they have done.

Every time we go back to visit, my parents always stock up both of the refrigerators and fruit baskets with food. Eating seems to be such a huge deal and we get fed REALLY..REALLY well. I am so looking forward to go home sweet home.

My all time favorite curry. So spicy and flavorful. Just how i like it. I can eat this for breakfast. Mixed vegetables stir-fry with crispy pork belly. My dad knows I love veggies. Glass noodle with shrimps More veggies stir-fry for veggies lover. Cant wait to eat fresh baby corn. Spicy eggplant salad Minced pork with soft egg tofu soup

Tokyo 2015: Part 1 - Learn before you go

I don't know about you but traveling to another country is a total eye (and mind blowing) opening experience. New city, new food, new language, new perspectives, new environment, new air (I mean even air doesn't smell the same) and new culture are all part of travel experience. In the past, I could care less when I traveled to some place new (not necessarily overseas but domestic travel). As sad as it may sound my top choice always turned out to be major shopping malls. I could care less about historic sites, national parks or something in that nature. I would rather go shopping. Now that I am older, I look at vacation and travel in a completely different angle. I want to learn, see and experience at a deeper level.   When visiting a foreign country, I feel it is very important to do some research about the country/culture and learn the "don'ts". Some people may say, well we are tourists and won't be there forever so who cares. To me that is called ignorance. I do care. When you visit another country, respect and manner are equally important. In this day and age, free resources in all sort of forms are available all over the internet such as Youtube videos, articles, blog posts - you name it! Of course we are not going to know everything but at least learn something before you go can help prepare and enhance your travel experience.
As I read more about Japan, there are many interesting facts. Do you know that you do not have to pay tips in Japan? While giving tips is a must here in the States, that practice is NOT common or necessary in Japan. It can be perceived as an insult if you do tip as well. Yay for some money saving :P If you plan your trip to Japan (or just out of curiosity) be sure to check out some of the videos below to get you started.

How to boost your mood on a cloudy day....

These beauties are right in my backyard. Looking at colorful flowers always make me happy and lift my spirit. These are the combination of wildflowers, annuals and perennials. I just hope Spring lasts a little longer so I can enjoy them more. I always feel that spring is the shortest season of all. The weather has begun to feel like summer some days now down here but most days are cloudy I almost feel like I live in England with an overcast sky and rain 5 days a week. 
Flowers look their best in spring, don't you agree?