Attractive lilies have bloomed！

The delivery Collie imaged multiple roses into when he ordered has bloomed excellent lilies.

Great lilies... What a brilliant color they show! I feel a strong smell they go off in my room since they opened flowers. The cherry cloth I bought in Saint Ignace might look a little too pretty for big and mature lilies. 

It's still holidays because I took 2 extra days off for Collie to come to Japan. But the flower arrangement is a substitute for him. He is also doing something in Michigan now. Taking a walk in my town on a sunny day for winter, - he should be here! - I can't help feeling so.

Love is like a flower - you've got to let it grow

John Lennon

We are in long distance relationship. The "long" is not only about distance, but also time. Our situation may not get any better, it may stay like this forever. How can I let it grow?  That is...

To focus on myself.  To keep believing him.

Blogging every day, listening to English podcasts, and studying an English words book full of new words I haven't known are my hope. Though I was thinking about quitting my job in the near future to make it happen, I might have to stick to my present company. So, after the work restarted, I will post here at the possible weekend.

Peace begins with a smile

Mother Teresa

I'll shower my coworkers with love and affection. I'll put my heart into my work. That is what I can do. And then, weekend blogging is my blissful joy. I'm already very grown up, still...turning over a new leaf, I'll try to become an attractive and charming woman.

Thank you so much for visiting Rose's blog.  Please come again and see my up-and-coming Gotanda life in Tokyo.

Love and Smiles

Red-tailed Hawk in Michigan

On New Year's Day, I received this photo from Collie. It seems to have been taken at Orion Oaks when he was trying to walk to stay healthier on December 31. I showed this to my brother. He said, "Wow! What an owl! It must be a rare species."

So I asked Collie, "Is it an owl?? My brother said it must be a rare type of species."

Collie replied, "They are occasionally seem. This one was looking for mice or rabbits...but we, some other people, were surprised to be able to walk near.

I searched and read on the internet that the Red-tailed Hawk is the most common hawk in North America.

No wonder it looked like an owl because...this cutie has a round shape like an owl. My brother says it must be still a rare species even after knowing it's a hawk. Well, let's go with that. American nature is amazing.

We couldn't meet again after 5 years.

"I didn't tell you I wasn't coming because....I was not sure myself if maybe I could still come. Even December 30 I was considering and searching tickets from Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles..but also I was in bed the 30th with numerous strong symptoms and it occurred to me that I could not manage 14 hours."

The difference between Collie and me on purchasing an airline ticket is, he tries to get it at the last minute, on the other hand, my style is always done a few months beforehand.

The advantage of getting an airline ticket in advance is －

1. Favorable price

2. Both of us are able to make a schedule

I can't stand being waiting, wondering if he'll come or not until the last minute. It's enormously irritating!

On December 31, I received a phone call from a florist near my town who came to my condo for delivery. She said overseas "Collie" ordered a gift for me. I was at my family home to help my mother, and realized he's not coming...

The flower arrangement was redelivered on January 3 after I came back to my condo. A message card was attached to the flowers. It says －

My best wishes to a Rose,

and her family for

this new year of hope.

-with love,   Collie

Why "a" Rose?  I asked Collie later.  He is like,

"Regarding "a" Rose...  I sent your delivery with multiple roses. However, you are an attractive woman. (there are many songs and phrases that refer to a beautiful woman as a rose.) So you are also a type of rose. That is why I wrote you are also a rose."

Collie saw a video massage from me and, "I was a little disappointed that the flowers weren't quite how I expected. Also 3 days late after new years eve. I appreciate her efforts though to deliver before Jan.4."

Though the flower shop closes on Jan.1-3 and open on Jan.4, a florist offered to me that she'd redeliver on Jan.3 after calling me.

Collie knows my taste. He must have imaged an arrangement emphasized roses without greens, big flowers, and carnations. This arrangement is celebrating a New Year in Japanese style. It was different from his image for me, but I appreciate his atempt and each flower. 

On the next day, the big lilies on the left began to bloom. I feel the smell in my room. I was disappointed that he's not coming on this long holidays, it was a great opportunity....

If he could come, seeing in person would have been for the first time, indeed, in 5 years.

Don't cry, "Rose".  You are only one in the world. Not one of them. You can study English you love on this occasion. If you have a passion for something, keep doing that!

Separate seats at GATE CITY OSAKI, and a classic night scene of GATE CITY PLAZA

A while ago, I wrote about GATE CITY PLAZA at  https://jophielrose.blogspot.com/2022/09/a-cool-spacious-complex-gate-city-ohsaki.html. It was my little hope to be seated up there and look down in the spacious atmosphere. Visiting GATE CITY PLAZA around the end of November, I found my wished seats available, changed into separate seats. 

There was a decorated Christmas tree. People are coming back and each person is doing their own thing.

Though I couldn't find vacant seats on the side looking down the lower floor, I found an only one vacant seat facing a well-maintained courtyard. It's not bad. I was gazing out the window for a short while.

People are spending their own time. What an airy and comfortable environment they can study in!

A individual seat on the opposite side got vacant! I moved to the open seat where I can look down the floor downstairs. Oh, this is what I wanted to do!

In a way, this might have been the last time I could feel Christmassy this year. Looking back, I enjoyed happy Christmas vibe in this spacious area.

Then, I went out of the building and saw classy lights of GATE CITY PLAZA, which is in GATE CITY OSAKI. I never knew there was such a beautiful place.

A little lonely at night.

I didn't eat a cake nor a luxurious meal at Christmas. But it doesn't matter. The true joy of Christmas is in the everlasting love of Christ.

Wishing you had a joyous Christmas, wishing you blessings in the coming New Year...

Thank you for visiting my blog this year. I will see you again here soon.    Happy Holidays! Rose

Prayer of Comfort

I'm truly sorry Rose.

 You are a good daughter. And he has been a good father. You have been blessed with faithful, good, and honorable parents.

 I only met him a couple times, but was glad to be able to meet such a good man. I am saddened at his passing.

 May you, your mother, and your family be comforted at this time by memory and knowledge of his love and care for all of you.

 May God have mercy, and may His eternal light shine upon him.

 Your father, and all your family are in my prayers today.     Collie

I'm sorry again for your loss Rose.

I was at church praying this evening....

Collie

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

Prayer of Comfort

You hold time within your hands, and see it all, from beginning to end. Please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep.

Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven.

We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus.

Amen. 

How about a Japanese authentic chestnuts cream cake in Ginza?

Do you know "Mont Blanc" with regard to cake?  It's a piece of cake!?  Well...

There is a few places where you can savor an elegant "Mont Blanc" in Ginza, Tokyo.

"Mont Blanc" is a chestnuts cream cake.  Cafe de Ginza Miyuki-kan provides you with a lovely time among fancy interior decoration of the cafe.

Though we've got used to staying in since working from home became the new normal, hanging out leisurely with a friend that I get along with is a different time. It was a special time. My beautiful friend who showed up to work wearing a vivid orange dress is a mother of a girl now. 

I'll try to visit this cafe by myself in the near future. I miss that natural taste of the Chestnut Mont Blanc. White cream inside is not so sweet and really tasty as well as Japanese Chestnuts cream richly covering the cake.

Also, I'm looking forward to getting together with my good friend somewhere again soon.

Joy, peace, happiness and love,

Rose

contrails from jets and a peaceful lake in the morning

Good morning Rose...

I hope you are well, and resting your body.

I went for a walk this morning. Returning, I saw contrails from jets, and I thought about your concerns that they are chemicals...though, I believe it is water vapor.

I hope so, Collie. I want Michigan to be at peace. At my place, small planes or helicopters are flying somehow late at night, and it seems that nobody can tell us for what purpose they are flying.

I miss you, Collie. I wish I could be with you in Michigan.

Rose