A Christmas time God gave me.

It was in January 2023 that I knew Fr.Callistus at FCC (Franciscan Chapel Center) had passed away last month. I was in the depths of sadness.

One day, I walked to Ballon in Nakameguro. It is a small vegan cafe that provides vegan food like falafel sandwiches, vegan soft serve ice cream, and more. 

This cafe has a very smooth organic coffee served with a nice cup. Taking a seat, I felt calm at the mild taste and foam. It's my cup of "coffee".

I realized they were playing Christmas songs in the store in spite of late January.

Since I lost my biological father in mid-December, I couldn't even feel the Christmas vibes everywhere in the city. But I could feel comforting Christmas through the quiet Christmas music played at the small place in January. I think Fr.Callistus went to Heaven at Christmas time. 

God, thanks for giving me a time to be with Fr.Callistus here.  －   This became my Christmas.

I didn't imagine that a falafel sandwich made of only vegetables would be this delicious! Not only healthy but also tasty...

  +  +  +

I showed up at Ballon later again in February.  It's just the time when I'd been thinking about quitting my job. 

I tried a vegan soft serve & a vegan banana muffin. Delicious, Healthy, Environmentally Friendly. Each has a gentle taste as well as a repeated organic coffee. Luckily, you can ask for soy milk if you want.  

+  +  +

Time has passed. Today is October 1st, 2023. My business at the present company is within this year. I went through the toughest time. I should use my paid holidays to take care of myself, so just a little more patience at work.

I sometimes think about my spiritual father & biological father. At times like that, I always pray, 

"May both fathers' souls be happy and in peace forever..." 

Dedicated to both fathers who ascended to Heaven in December 2022.

KUA'AINA is once a month pleasure.

My once a month pleasure is going to KUA'AINA! My favorite is TUNA & AVOCADO Sandwiches. If bread is healthy food, I can go there a lot, but I can't because modern wheat has undergone too much breeding. Repeated selective breeding, agricultural chemicals, and post-harvest at import from U.S.A or Canada to Japan... We should stay away from foods that are not good for the body.

I hope KUA'AINA bread is made with 100% domestic made wheat because glyphosate is not used for flour in Japan. But as long as the restaurant doesn't mention anything about the safety of their bread, there is a high possibility that they use imported wheat from U.S.A. or Canada which includes glyphosate. 

So...that is the reason why I'm trying to eat it just once a month. I am so sorry, I do love this sandwiches!

French fries here are not my type as I like ones without breading or batter, however, I appreciate that coffee is organic! French fries include enormous acrylamide to produce carcinogen. That's too bad...

Recently, I knew the fact that glyphosate was detected in flour used at Panera Bread, Pizza Hut, Outback Steakhouse, Papa John's, Domino's Pizza, Whole Foods, SUBWAY, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's. Glyphosate is found not only in imported flour but also even within U.S.A.! At the present time, many people are eating GMO flour including glyphosate without knowing.

I used to enjoy pancakes. Dreamy whipped cream is one of my favorite things. But also we have to worry about flour, and AGEs (Advanced glycation end products).

We should be careful about what we eat to stay healthy. Unfortunately, the better something tastes, the worse it is for you.

Welcome to my page！

It's been a while again since I posted a blog last time. I thought I should write every weekend, but I couldn't do it last weekend. I stayed home both on Saturday & Sunday. I was lying down on bed...

I had a headache today, too. It seems that I need to drink coffee or cocoa in the morning or else I'll get a headache later in the afternoon. So I am writing with a black tea with soy milk to have moderate caffeine. I am feeling better. I might not be able to sleep this night, though.

Too much work and stress keep me away from talking to people. I just want to be alone without thinking anything. I had to be out frequently taking care of personal business. August became another busy month.

Meanwhile, there was also good news. A landscape photo I took will be the cover photo of the ward assembly newsletter. It is a monthly one dropped in a mailbox of every household, 232,754 according to the census in August 1st, 2023. There is a web version, too.

I want to dedicate my time to improve my English skills after leaving the present company. I am hoping English will be at the center of my life. Another plan is staying in Michigan for a month or possibly more next year. 

Soon I can have an enough blogging time. It's one of the things I want to do in my life. So, the good news that my landscape photo will be printed on the front cover is encouraging! I will enjoy writing and sharing my photos with people who visit my blog.

Thank you, Rose

On the top floor of the circular building on the west side of Gotanda Station, there is a...

Coming out of the west exit of Gotanda station, you can see a building like this. 

On top of the building, there is a beer restaurant. 

Original beer from a brewery in Shinagawa City is fresh and tastes just great!

The place is also known for "Chicago Pizza".

But I prefer this to it for myself!

Hazy IPA❤︎

When you feel like drinking delicious craft beer, this place is it!

（Come over and check it out😘）

THE DOOR

I saw pretty doors when I was out walking. It's not far from my place, so in Tokyo, however, it reminded me of foreign countries I'd ever been.

This house is always decorating the outside of the door with flowers.

I found splendid roses covering the bay window, so snapped involuntarily.

gentle pink doors of the apartment

a soft pale green door of the detached house...

The last one was taken near my previous apartment, actually, the house next door.

This post became a door photo book. I hope you enjoyed it.

 Thank you, Rose

Sweet Polish Pottery ♡ CERAMIKA ARTYSTYCZNA

Maybe you've seen these plump tableware with pretty pattern anywhere. It's Polish Pottery handmade in BOLESLAWIEC, which is known as the city of pottery, located in the southwest of Poland. 

It just feels nostalgic, sweet...and like, brings back memories. Nordic design is cute, but cool & stylish, on the other hand, these Polish Pottery design is heart-warming and as if it brings us back sweet memories. I am more of attracted by Polish patterns than Nordic patterns.

Among CERAMIKA ARTYSTYCZNA, there is something noble about above dark blue tableware. Though it was gone when I made up my mind to take in some Polish Pottery to my house. However, I bought 1 small bowl and 2 soup cups (can use like cafe au lait bowls, too!) with pretty handwritten patterns.

Pottery from CERAMIKA ARTYSTYCZNA is durable and ovenproof. That's why it's a little heavy.   

When Collie comes to my house, I will show him the 3 I chose. Collie is Polish American. That makes me like Polish Pottery more (and is the reason I bought some for me), although I think Polish Pottery is pretty.

to be true to myself

This weekend, Collie sent me our picture taken at his house on the day before my departure to Japan. It was the night before we left his house early in the morning to Detroit Metro Airpot.

Leaning on the sofa, we were closing our eyes and my head was on his shoulder. While his face was peaceful, my face was as if a look of distress was over the eyes. Was I anticipating piled-up work ahead of me? He says about the picture, "I kind of liked it." Good to know I look not so bad for him. 

I'm glad I could visit Michigan in June. July seems to be the most tough month. Like, every day working hard until 21:00-22:00, and this weekend, I needed to study digital literacy for the training/exam/group work around the end of this month. 

I've been stuck at work ever since I came back to Japan on June 27. But looking back, what a lovely time we spent together in Michigan! I can do my best at work because I am with the hope that I will visit Michigan again...longer, next time. 

For me, to be myself.... I will make enough time to use English. Soon it will come true both in Japan and in Michigan. Hopefully more of in Michigan than in Japan.

It's scorching hot outside. Luckily today is a national holiday. I'm done studying earlier and could have time to write here. I might go out for a drink after the sun goes down. Until then...I will enjoy a long, luxury nap. It is all right...my birthday is just around the corner so I should treat myself to relaxation.

Bye for now, Rose🌹