Voile d'ete

I have been going with friends to Voile d'ete from time to time. This English-style restaurant opened this spring.
I like Voile d'ete's cozy atmosphere and I feel at home everytime I visit the place. The service is good and of course the whole staff are friendly!
They serve lunch and dinner but the specialty of this place is tea. Yeah... great teas... from traditional tea choices such as classic Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Royal Milk Tea, herb teas and many varieties of flavored teas.
One of my favorite menu here is the Afternoon Tea plate includes a pot of your choice tea... plus a choice of your favorite tea cup and saucer to use... and a three-storey plates of little sandwiches, tart, pastries, mini-cup cakes and mini fresh fruits.

The Voile d'ete is located in 2F of La Parelle Bldg.,
6-10 Gofuku-cho 2 chome, Aoi District, Shizuoka City.

Voile d'ete is owned and managed by Takeda sensei- our friend from SAME and "Take Five" radio program- and her son- the tea master! They always on hand to make sure you're happy with your meal and of course... your tea!
One of my favorite lunch set menu!
... with a cup of tea and dessert!

I would definetely recommend Voile d'ete to anyone who is looking for a relaxing and luxurious treat!

Sit warm under the kotatsu

It's getting cold everyday so we decided to buy a new hot carpet and a coverlet for kotatsu-- a small table with an electric heater underneath and covered by a quilt. During cold season... snuggling under the kotatsu is really great!

Introducing Kricel Angela!

I would like to extend my tnx to my sis Emily for sending a package of bday gift and card for Sachan. Inclosed the package are also photos of her new born baby girl... Kriscel Angela! Ahaha... she really looks like her brother Emil... female version of Emil!!!

Here are some of the photos... paging all ninang and ninong... here's your awaited inaanak!!!

KRICEL ANGELA... isn't she cute?!

In this photo, she was just one day old... She was born last October 27.

... with happy mom-Emily and brod Emil at the hospital!

...with proud dad--Sonny and brod Emil!

Christmas Decorations

Christmas is just around the corner! Did you start decorating your home for Christmas? Well... I am starting already! It's getting colder everyday so I thought it is wise to start decorating early!
Yesterday, I already decorated our veranda with Christmas lights while today, I arranged the little Christmas tree downstairs. I'll continue the other stuffs 'til Sunday.
I still need to climb on the trees in our yard to put up the remaining lights. Still there are some Christmas lanterns and big Christmas tree upstairs waiting! Ohhhh... I missed Emily! Last year, she was here in Japan with Emil and she was a great helped! She managed our Christmas decorations! That was pretty cool coz Emily was very creative.
We are scheduled to turn on the Christmas lights on December 1. Watch for it!

Help! My computer is dying!

My personal computer is not working since last Monday! The mouse never work and the screen display is not in order! I tried everything I could think of... but nothing works! It really drives me nuts... it's almost end of the month and I have so many work to meet the deadline!
Almost all of my files are still in the hard drive... uncopied documents and mostly pictures too!
My hubs checked my pc too... he said it's really a broken computer already! He will try to fix it but he told me he needs to bring my computer back to "0" mode... meaning, all my important documents, files and everything can't be recover anymore! Do I have any choice?! I think I need to give up...

It's stuck!

Don't tell me to get rid of it and buy a new one! Well... the truth is I love to... but I'm broke lately! Anyway... that pc have a sentimental value to me. I bought that from my salary at SAME... that was about 6 years ago! All I hope for the moment is to fix it... if possible!
I wish my hubs can fix it ... tomorrow... maybe he'll starts to fix it...
For a while... I am using Sachan's pc. She always keep on reminding me to be careful if i'm using her pc. I understand... she just don't want to have same experience that will drive her crazy!

ps: It's my late mother's bday today. Imagine... if she's still alive, she's 70 already. How times passed by?! She was only 45 when she was gone. In memory of you... happy birthday 'nay!!!

Tiny origami crane

Receipt from a restaurant can be recycled like origami!!! Mother and child crane

(made by Sachan!)

Japanese lunch set

My lunch today!... bowl of rice topped with slices of raw tuna, and other sea foods ... with a bowl of soba!

Philippine Fiesta 2006

Tokyo...here we come!!!

With some of our friends from Philippine NAKAMA, we drove to Tokyo to attend the Philippine Fiesta event of the Pinoy communities in Japan and the Philippine Embassy. Actually, it's a two-day live event--Nov.11-12 in Hibiya Park. We regret we never won any raffle prices but we did enjoy the stage shows, the great Pinoy foods and the friendly atmosphere of our kababayans!

Ohh geeeeeee... we had a great time and a great day!!!
http://www.geocities.com/philippinenakama/philfiesta2006.html.

Mt. Fuji scene from Tomei Highway... on the way to Tokyo...

To SIDE A Band!!! Thanks to the wonderful memories! You are all fabulous! I luv your music!!!

Some of the Philippine NAKAMA group with soul singer... JAY Vergara. At the back guy is our shiriai--Manong from Philippine Embassy.

Next year... the Philippine Fiesta will be held on summer in Yayogi Park, Tokyo. I wish we can go there again...

p.s... In behalf of the group, we would like to greet our friend... Amie... a belated happy birthday (Nov. 9). Our trip was also a part of tita Amie's birthday celebration. As a compliment... she brought us some drinks and snacks ... although we expected for Mc Donald morning set! Anyway... that was better than nothing... Cheers!!!

Nao Chan's 4th Birthday Gathering

It's raining today but it never hinder us to attend the bday celebration of Nao chan. Thanks to Sarah and family for picking me up at home and we drove to Analyn's (Nao chan's mom) home.

As usual... old faces of friends attended the gathering... most of them were with their kids... not to mention that it was a children's party!

Here's Nao chan who turned 4! Would u believe... she can already fix her hairdo alone! Very amazing!

Some of the kids who partied!

The barako kid-- Masaru kun! I luv this kid too!!!

A souvenir pose with my inaanak, Nao chan with her mom--Analyn! Waaaaait ... who's that in the back?!

We had a blast!

We are full enough... time for chatting!

Hey guys! Wake uuuuup!

She can't wait to open her bday gifts... well... it's her day!

Beauty Tips!

Below is a wonderful poem Audrey Hepburn wrote when asked to share her "beauty tips." It was read at her funeral years later.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness...

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people...

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry...

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day...

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

Sachan and Lucky

Today is a fine day! I took my daughters-- Sachan and Lucky (yap... i also consider her as my daughter!) pictures for my NENGAJO, a special postcards that are delivered on New Year's day as one form of greetings here in Japan. Here are some of the samples of the pictorial taken from our veranda...

too bad... lucky was not in the mood for pictorials... grrrrrrr!

Shizuoka Daidogei World Cup 2006

Today is the second day of the four days event of Daidogei World Cup here in Shizuoka City.
Since Liza and I had nothing to do this day... we decided to go to the event. Our meeting place was in front of Isetan Department Store. It was before noontime but downtown streets were busy with many people watching Daidogei performances.
We went to Sumpu Park wherein the main performances of Daidogei took place. We're supposed to watch the performances at the Premium Stage but unfortunately, the tickets for day time show were all sold-out! Liza and I just decided to stroll around the park. It was too crowded! We can't even watch the streets or sidewalks performances not unless if we are going to wait for at least one hour before the show starts in order to get a nice seat in front. Too bad, we don't have the patience to wait that long... how we wish we also had a step ladder or stool like some viewers brought with them so that they can see the show from the back row.
Still we enjoyed taking photos of clowns and other funny and unusual characters roaming around the park.

We also enjoyed window shopping at various stalls...and yes, the different food stalls. There was an international food stall corner too. Russians, Turkeys, Mexicans, Thai, Chinese, Korean foods and many more were really mouth watering! We were wondering why there wasn't any Philippine food stall at the scene... we missed our very own Pinoy foods!Liza and I walked a lot! We met so many shiriai, kababayans ... and lots of friends like Chat with her hubby and cuttie Yu-chan, also Nerissa with her barako kid-- Masaru kun!
Before 5pm, Liza and I decided to part our ways... Liza phoned to her daughter Tabby and we asked her to pick up her mom in Aoba Road as a chance for Tabby to practice her driving downtown. Actually, Tabby's first and new car have just arrived last night! It's a silver Pitz car! Tabby arrived from Miyatake's home to our meeting place in Aoba... she did made her debut driving in downtown of Shizuoka City and the most ever happy about it was her mom...cno pa kundi c Liza! Well... congrats Tabby!

Pitz! (^-^)v

General Meeting

Members and friends from Philippine NAKAMA Organization gathered today afternoon for a general meeting at Matterhorn, Gofukucho Plaza Bldg. in Shizuoka City.
The meeting was well-attended by about 25 members and guest.
Agenda of the meeting was the report of past activities, funds and the up-coming events like the Philippine Fiesta event in Tokyo, UTAWIT audition in Shizuoka, Sto. Nino Fest and suggestions and preparations for the Christmas Party 2006 to be held on December 17.
The group suggested that all members should donate some Christmas gifts. It's amusing that Lilia told the group that she will donate Y10,000 for the gifts while Ishigami san will donate some stuffs like remote control airplane?! (pls correct me if i am wrong) and more!!!
As for me ... well, I'm gonna donate my time and effort... lol!
After the meeting... we had a snack time... everyone brought some finger foods and drinks. Olivia I. and Olive K. brought the main Filipino dish, while Ahioni brought Kentucky as part of their treats on their bdays! Happy birthday girls!!! Sarah also brought us some sweet ginataan. It was quite unique... ginataan with munggo beans... it tasted good! I ate too much of it... no wonder I gained again! whaaaah!!!
The meeting adjorned in order... I went back home with Amie. Speaking of Amie... her birthday is coming soon... November 9 desho?! Well... we are planning to celebrate it in Tokyo at the Philippine Fiesta... i bet it will be a blast! OTANOSHIMINI!

More pix from here:

Philippine NAKAMA General Meeting 10.2006

Hello Kricel Angela!

I would like to congratulate my youngest sister Emily and her hubs-- Sonny for Emily's safety delivery to a 3.4 kg and 54cm in lenght baby girl... named Kricel Angela. Kricel is a combination names of Sonny's mother-- Kristina and Emily's mother (actually, my beloved mother too!) -- the late Cecilia.
Emily told me by the phone that Kricel looks like her brother Emil when he was a baby.
Now that Emil is not the only kid in the family... I just can't wait how he gonna cope up with it!!! Hang tough Kricel!

It's LUCKY's day!

♪For she's a jolly good Lucky... for she's a jolly good lucky... for she's a jolly good lucky... and nobody can deny♪ Happy birthday Lucky♪

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.

You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.

You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion"
-- Unknown

Lucky turned 9 today! Wazzzup with her birthday?!... nothing so special I guess... i want to treat her with some extra-sweets... but it's not advisable coz she's diabetic already... although she doesn't give up! ... ahh, maybe i'll just treat her with extra-moonlight stroll! She loves it anyway (^-^)d

Filipino Charity Concert

October 22 was Charity Concert day! As an agreement with the organizer of the event... our group, the Philippine NAKAMA supported the event for the sake of the Filipino Community here in Shizuoka City. Cooperation really counts!!! We voluntary helped the promotion and assisted the reception of the concert.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO and PHOTOS

After the concert... Amie, uncle Jo, Belinda and Olivia treated ourselves to Jollibee Restaurant... Elizabeth was also there! Thanks to Amie who paid half of our bill... nice work Amie... next time ulit!　 (^3^)--☆ Sorry to Liza and company... you missed it guys!

Free collection

Free Disney character stuffs from Coca cola! ↑Lilo and Stitch series↑Winnie the Pooh and friends series

Free as in LIBRE!

... yap... that's one of our fav words... di ba chat?!
Today, owner of "Heartbeat" invited our group, the Philippine NAKAMA to come over to their place and watch the performances of their talents. He said that it's for free and it doesn't matter how many members can come as long as we are not beyond the limit of the capacity of the omise. Bongga di ba?! However, we did not took advantage of his kindness! Liza and I gathered about 20 members and friends to join us. It was surprising that all the advicers-- me, Amie, Arakawa san, Ishigami san and Kishibata san were all present! Actually, we only gather together completely during big events! Soooo... what's so special with tonights show huh?!!!
The show presentation was entertaining... we enjoyed it! The girls and guys... and gays(?) were cute! That's it!!!
So... to all concerned people... thanks a lot to free drinks and cool show... GOCHIZOSAMADESHITA! What a treat!!! (^-^)v

Moonlight Party

... is an international event jointly organized every year by SIFA and SAME. In Japanese, they called this event as "KOKUSAI OTSUKIMI" (International Moon Viewing). Moon viewing is one of Japanese refined tradition. They celebrate the autumnal moon on harvest season. They decorate some Japanese pampas grass and moon viewing dumplings or TSUKIMI DANGO. This was originated from China during Heian period (794-1185).

Belinda in front of the pampas grass and dumplings

Almost every year... Ito san, SAME staff was trying to assign me as one of the interpreter of the event. She had to becoz I am also working at SAME as one of their foreigner staff. However, due to some conflict with my sched... I always refused her favor. This year, Ito san asked me again... hmmm, I can't say no this time... I must do something to please her favor... well... I made no excuse this time... I finally accepted the assignment and in exchange... I cancelled my other commitments.
I was new to this event and I am also curious what this is all about...
Well, the event was held yesterday night, October 6 at Zensouji Temple in Shimizu. It's about 170 years old temple and one of the famous in Shimizu. I worked together with my co-foreigner staff, Dani-- an Indonesian, Sai --a Chinese and Eliza-- a Brazilian as an interpreter.
I invited my niece, Belinda to come with me since I thought this event will gonna be a good chance to learn and understand Japanese cultures.
Unfortunately, it was raining... there was no chance to view the autumn moon. I joked Belinda to just be content to all the bald folks she sees around! Anyway, they were all shining brightly!lol!
The temple obosan (monk) message was quite remarkable. In buddisht belief... when someone died... he become Buddha... but we should not be concern about it, the obosan said... instead, we need to be and we must be good fellows while we are still alive and kicking!
Inspite of the rain, the event was still well attended. I was asked to interpret in English although I prefer Tagalog coz it's my native language. But come to think of it... the Pinoy present in the event was only me and Belinda. The other foreigners are from Brazil, Indonesia, Taiwan, America... hmmm, I guess I didn't miss someone... and the rest are Japanese.
After the speeches of vips, the cultural show of Indonesian students and trainees followed... and then we had interchanged with the guess while having our dinner.
Afterwards... after receiving all the omiage foods and drinks from SIFA staffs... Belinda and I rushed back by train to Shizuoka City coz we had to meet uncle Jo and Liza with Tabby. Then we all proceeded to "Heartbeat" for a meeting with Ikuta san and Abet about their coming up Charity Concerts. They introduced to us their newly arrived talents from Focus. Wow... there are more than 30 talents. From dancers, singers, staffs... known and amateurs...
We ended up thru a deal that Philippine NAKAMA will support their coming up Charity Concerts... however, we requested that our group will only cooperate to those concerts to be held here in Shizuoka City.
Ahhhhhhhh... what a day!

Shimizu Hamada Festival 2006

Once again, Mrs. Kazuma, coordinator of Shimizu Hamada Matsuri invited us-- the Philippine NAKAMA group to join this year stage presentation of their event.
Last year, the event was held at the open space of Shimizu Hamada Elementary School but this year... it was raining, so they held the event at the TAIIKUKAN-- gymnasium of the school.
Thanks to the bazaar... even it was raining, the event was packed with people!
In behalf of the group, we would like to extend our thanks to Mrs. Kazuma for the wonderful treat. The Japanese typical obento was really good and we do appreciate the "OREI " given to the our group.
Congrats to our cute kid, Maika chan-- Maritess Tahara's only kid. She had a special participation dance number in Tinikling, not to mention that it was Maika's folk dance debut too and she was trully stunning ... like mother, like daughter huh!!!
We also salute to Precy's professionalism... inspite of the fact that she's grieving for her younger brother death yesterday ... she still joined the dance group! Again... condolence and ingat sa pag-uwi sa Philippines on Tuesday.

Click here for photos and other info:
http://www.geocities.com/philippinenakama/hamadafest10.html

Futaba Festival 2006

The annual Shizuoka Futaba School Festival is being celebrated in two days. This year it was celebrated on September 16 (Sat) and 17 (Sun).
One of the main features of the event was the bazaar and as usual... same routine every year... I was sched by the parent's association to help the school bazaar yesterday.
I gave my extra best to work hard becoz this is my last duty to cooperate to the school activities. Yup! my only daughter--Sachan is graduating from Senior High School next year and... so... in a way, maybe I'll miss helping the school bazaar someday! However, I might still attend the Futaba Festival on the coming years... I'm fond of shopping to their bazaar wherein we can buy many good items in reasonable... oh no no, correction ... cheap prices!
I hate to admit this but I was quite desperate yesterday... I worked too hard this time... but I lost my time to go around to buy some worthy stuff from the bazaar.
Better try next year!

Charity Lunch Show 2006

Heya everyone! Today is a great day for Philippine NAKAMA Organization because it's our 5th anniversary! Yeeehey!!! Actually, yesterday--September 9 was the founding anniversary of our group but we decided to celebrate the event today...coz Sunday is the best day to all members and friends to gather together! As part of the celebration, we did a Charity Lunch Show for the benefit of Philippine NAKAMA's Japanese-Filipino Children Scholarship Program. At present, our group has 6 scholars in the Philippines.
We worked and volunteered hard... so we did party harder!!! The event was a rollin' success!

click here for more details and photosHappy 5th Anniversary to Philippine NAKAMA!

Souvenir of corsage I made for our special guests!

A visit to Marissa's home!

At long last... I got a chance to visit Marissa's pad! Thanks to Sarah and family for bringing me there! It's been more than a month since I never see her... thanks be to God that she is now GENKI recovering from her operations.
I met Marissa's daughter Mariko and her mother and brother who are visiting her from Philippines. Syempre... kumustahan blues!

...and yes her home... it's amasing! Everything is in order! Yappari... Marissa's touch dakara!

What excites us most was her home made HALO-HALO! Napaka-simple ng ingredients but it's very yummmmmy! GOCHISOSAMA DESHITA!