名古屋弁デビュー?! Debute for Nagoya dialect

My mom found two books for Yuna; a princess book and a pictorial book for dogs. We puickly learned she was not interested in princesses but dogs. She then picked up how to say "so cute" in Nagoya dialect in Japanese.

母が持って来た２つの本：お姫様の本と犬の図鑑。もちろん気に入ったのは犬の図鑑。そして、覚えたのは半名古屋弁「めちゃかわいいやん！」これで、「でら」を言うようになったら．．．

昨日は高校の友達が来てくれました。Friend from high school.

学んだ事：オーガニックナプキン。もちろんだけど、普通の使い捨てナプキンは薬が入っていて、それが、粘膜を通して体に吸収されちゃうから、生理痛をひどくしたりするらしい。生理痛がオーガニックナプキンに変えてから軽くなったという声も多々あるとか。。。試してみる価値ありかも♪

Things learned: Organic napkins. I knew about cloth diapers vs. disposable diapers. But this never came to my mind. My friend told me that the chemicals used for napkins as well as diapers can be absorbed through mucous membrane into our body, which will lead to painful menestral periods. She said hers became much lighter after changing napkins to organic ones. It will also create better environment for future babies as well. This motivated me not only try it for myself but also seriously start thinking about toilet training for Yuna.

The toilet training will probably start after coming back from Hokkaido trip next weekend. 

Sunday the 24th of Feb. 2013

Nothing was so special about today, yet I think that maybe is a special thing.

Things that were different today than regular Sunday were...

The manga writer, brother Akio Asuka, visited my home ward, Kasugai, and held a fireside. He calls himself a science entertainer. He has published more than 100 books and comic books. He picks topics that are world wonders and connect to church doctrines.
In order to see him and listen to him, about 70 people (most of them were not member of the church) came to church. They seemed to be accepting what brother Asuka was saying. I talked to one of the lady there and she told me, "it was my first time coming to a church but I heard that what's-so-called Baptism was needed for me to be saved." I was just astonished the power of fame. How it can work for good. I briefly explained to her about what getting baptized mean and why we need the church.

So today was a long day at church from 10 am to 6 pm.

When I got home, my neighbor friend gave my daughter a gift. Those are dolls for the girl's day, coming up March third. 

She was a one happy girl. She was excited to get the dolls but probably more for snacks that were in there.
Today, she did not cry to go to the nursery and played and played. She even told me what she did, which were "ju-ju (juice)," "cracker," "nurinuri (coloring)," and "anpanman (her favorite character)." She is a doll! 

節分

Setsubun, the day that demons come, was today the Feb. 3rd this year.

I had never seen Yuna got so scared.

Poor Yuna was so scared that she started to put all the beans into her mouth. We stopped her to avoid choking but she cried till the demon ran away.

We threw soy beans, shouting "Demons out! Luck in!"　How popular is this event? It is so popular that every pre-school in Japan would do it so as families with little kids.

As I grew up, my dad shouted aloud, throwing soy beans to unseen demons. So I never got scared with it. My discovery was that the kids at that young can still recognize what's scary.

After the event, she remembered the word of demon in Japanese, Oni. Unfortunately, it sounds similar to her favorite food, onigiri (rice ball), in which she calls "oni." So I got really confused this morning if she wanted a rice ball or was still scared of the demon.

She is recovered well and right now she says "oshimai" (I'm done with that talk) whenever we talked about the demon and shakes her hand.

Thanks, Mika, for getting the costume from your kindergarden, and being the demon of the day!

小正月 a little new year.

今日は小正月。元旦のが大正月。小正月が来ると「もうお正月シーズンは終わりですね」となるよう。

今年はせっかくお正月に実家にいた。夫と娘は初めての日本でのお正月。何かお正月らしいことしたかな？

In old days, people called today January 15th as a "little new year" compare to a "big new year" on January 1st. A little new year prepares people for normal days after a big holiday.
This year, we spent a new year in Japan. It was the first time for David and Yuna. Did we do something traditional?

初詣 visiting a shrine on a new year's day

おせち料理 Special New year dish

お年玉 We (adults) gave money to children, and Yuna received some money. On average, an elementary kid receives about $230 in total. 

出したけど、着なかった着物  Kimono, the traditional Japanese clothes. We took some out but haven't worn them till this day. They are still hanging and waiting to be worn. 

年賀状 New year's cards.

紅白歌合戦 Song festival

お餅つきMochi tuki, making mochi

新年会 New year's party

なーんだ、結構やったんじゃん。After listing them, I feel we have somewhat accomplished experiencing Japanese New Year.

Just like today was "a little new year," things are getting back to normal.

My favorite pictures of Yuna

Fall went by too fast....

Now comes the winter.

Blog security ブログのセキュリティー

I will be blocking this blog from public site, meaning you will need your e-mail account to view this blog for the security and privacy purposes. I need your emails so I can send you an invitation to view the blog. Please send a quick email to ayae.tueller@gmail.com, saying that you would like to view the blog. This is effective, starting Dec. 1st. Thank you for your understanding.

12月1日からこのブログは公に見られなくなります。Emailのアカウントにログインすると見ることができるようになります。ayae.tueller＠gmail.com にメールを送っていただけたら、そのメールアドレスを登録し、私から、このブログを見る招待のメールを送らせていただきます。個人情報を守りながら、楽しく家族の様子や学んだことを今までのように伝えていけたらと思ってます。よろしくお願いします。

ちなみに。。。。By the way...

This is the answer to yesterday's question; Where David got a part time job in Japan?

Mail sorting place. This is being a paparazzi, and stealing this photo at 5:52 this morning. 

December is a gift giving season in Japan as well. Not so much for celebrating Christmas, but thanking coworkers, relatives, and neighbors, and wishing for good relationships for the coming year.

Quick Multiple Choice Question:

What are some of common gifts to give?
1). 10 kg (about 20 pounds) of rice.
2). Dish soap.
3). 1 kg of beef.
4). Sumo fundoshi (the fabric that goes around a sumo wrestler).

Yesterday morning, I welcomed David home with a surprise. He was a sweatyT-shirt while I was wearing a sweater and cozy fur socks. Will you be ready to face David in a weight loss competition?

Oh, and the answer is all the above except the 4th. 

Guess what David is doing?

David got a new job. What do you think that is?

Hint:
1). He left home at 6:15 am. He will be going to work at 4:45 am in December.
2). Last night, he prepared for the work. A picture below.

What is your guess?!