My last day of work by God and a Christmas card from Collie

Nov.30, 2023 was my last day of work. Actually, I still belong to Strategic Planing Department, Creative Solution Division of an advertising agency until the end of December, however, I took my remaining paid leaves in whole December. 

Nov.30 became God's day for me. I could happen to see all the persons I wanted to see one last time at the office. Like, as if by magic, I run into a person I had something to say additionally to at the locker, also, another person I wanted to see in person while passing each other around the entrance, both of them again in the elevator going down when I was leaving, and at last a director whom my boss didn't see at the office, but I saw waiting at the light. Moreover, my boss made a phone call to a person of HR Team because she misunderstood she'd submit my return items such as PC etc. to them (actually, to General Affairs Department). That's why we knew the HR parson was on the way to the office and wanted to see me for chat before I left the company. Otherwise I had already left the company after we submitted my return items to General Affairs Department when he got to the office. There were more coincidences. It was like a miracle. So, I think it's the power of God. 

People wish me the best of luck in my new stage. As Collie wished, I can maintain friendships with some of my coworkers.

A top specialist of the company wrote back to my email of gratitude. I read her email just before I closed my PC lastly. She described me as blow.

•  I pay close attention to details at work.
• Clients were happy when she handed over Media Data 2024 to them.
• The know-how, ideas I created and left in the intranet will remain and continue to help company's people to learn.

"Media Data" is an annual booklet created by my central supervision. It indicates the characteristics of every media such as marketing/internet/train/bus/newspaper/magazine/radio/tv/area data plus advertising law. Not only intended for internal use when planing, but aIso a sales tool that mainly Sales Department people pass directory to clients.

I appreciate what she wrote to me, and I will never forget it.

at Meguro Catholic Church

Though I'm in the process of posting my June 2023 Michigan journal, I update you a little about my life as a final post in 2023.

Collie wrote to me on Nov.25, 2023

I hope you keep some good memories, skills, pictures, and experiences from your work place. 

You are appreciated, and will be missed....

Collie wrote to me on Nov.30, 2023

Now, I hope you can rest your body, and mind more often.

You have gained wisdom, friends, and knowledge.

You have been a great contributor to the company success.

May tomorrow bring you rest, new skills, new experiences, and new smiles.

Sincere warm wishes on your new day...

Collie wrote to me on Dec.21, 2023

I hope you are well and enjoying some new things and gaining health.

I awoke with fever and headaches but must go to work appointments somehow today. I'm not in good condition. I have a card for you...but didn't mail yet. I'm sorry.

Collie showed the card in his email on Christmas Eve. I will wait for the postal card to arrive to me. The above picture of me is...16 years ago or so.... It's taken in Birmingham! I still have the rose hat and the white scarf. I was blogging in Japanese before and the picture is seen there. If you are interested in my first blog in Japanese, you can find the link in ABOUT ROSE → my complete profile.

I leave the company where I have worked for long years. In 2024, I will mull over and do what I really want to accomplish in my life. 

I will resume my June 2023 Michigan journal here. I will express my Michigan in words along with photos I took. Those photos are still abundant!

I'm so grateful that you could be here to see my blog. May our hopeful wishes brighten up our life with achievements through the new year...☆

See you in 2024, Rose

what I ordered for lunch on a second visit to Downtown Cafe Rochester in one day

Again, I came to Downtown Cafe Rochester！ I'm going to a different place tomorrow with Collie, so I ordered what I wanted to eat for lunch at the same place as earlier this morning for breakfast! It's open until 3:00 pm on Saturday, and I arrived there a little before 2:00 pm, I think. I was not hungry enough after a big breakfast here ...😅

The owner welcomed me, saying gently, like, "Please have a seat wherever you like." as he said so when I visited a little past 7:00 am today. I wonder if he remembers me. I hope so, but I can't tell from the way he speaks. 

The beautiful waitress who served me for breakfast is here, but I'm not sure whether she recognized me. I was served by another waitress this time (she was beautiful, too!).

Michigan Pancakes

Sun dried cherries, apples, and walnuts. Served with Fresh Fruit. $12.59

It was attractive, but voluminous again!👀 （I enjoyed the rest later at the hotel with coffee❤︎）

Waitresses are together preparing table napkins and seasonings around a table while having a good conversation. I thought it was wonderful. 

After eating as much as I could without overdoing it, I said to the waitress,  

"Hey, can I have a doggy bag!?"  

I meant to say "Hey" in a friendly manner, however, I got to know it was not very polite as a customer to use for a waitress after I tried asking Collie about it since I was just wondering. Oh I messed up..😓

If I have a chance to visit there, I want to interact with people at Downtown Cafe Rochester more naturally. And it would be so nice if I was recognized and welcomed friendly like a regular/fan by the gentle owner & beautiful waitresses.

Menu - Downtown Cafe Rochester, Michigan

https://www.downtowncaferochester.com/menu.html  

My video at breakfast & lunch on 20230618

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvTiAIfNOi5/

May this day be the day to lead you to peace, to happiness, and to joy, Rose

A relaxing short break at Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan

After the beautiful breakfast at Downtown Cafe and a stroll in Downtown Rochester, I got back to the hotel to have a short break.

Collie booked Royal Park Hotel for 2 nights so I could explore Downtown Rochester comfortably and could come back easily to rest while he was out of town. It is just a little way from N Main St where I had a fun time a lot.

First, I chilled out at the Library Room on the first floor with a cup of coffee. I think they offer a great coffee! Moreover, lemon water, several kind of fine tea are available.

Coming back to my room, did I lie down for about an hour? Then at the spacious balcony I liked, I looked outside leisurely with lemon water I brought from the Library Room. It was so busy at work in Japan, but now it's unbelievably tranquil. I'm finally able to take a vacation now. 

I can see white chairs & tables facing a river, down on the grass. 

I answered Collie's mail. He asked me if I wanted to stay one more night. I thought it over. It'd be great for me and also, I wanted him to experience staying at this hotel because he was almost out of Rochester while I stayed here. OK, let's extend "our" stay for one more night! I will share my vacation with him at this luxurious place! 

The water in Rochester River is nice and clear. It must be so pleasant to enjoy the view while sitting there on a sunny day like this.

Later, I knew Collie called the hotel and we'd be able to stay in the same room. Yay! 

It's almost time to go for a lunch. Well, visit my blog again to see what I had😘　Bye for now, Rose

CHARMING ROCHESTER June 17, 2023 *Part Ⅱ*

And then I walked W 3rd St that intersects directly at S Main St. Across W Main St Alley, I saw a fairly-tale-like light blue house.

Tonia's Victorian Rose  118 W 3rd St, Rochester, Michigan 48307

A original owner seems to have remodeled a house into a shop. Actually, this is Michigan's Original Tearoom. Surrounded by a sweet interior which girls would like, crepes, soups, salads, quiche, scone, chicken pot pies, meatloaf etc. are available as well as wide variety of teas. Tonia's Victorian Rose is "Tea Room & More". 

Rochester Brunch House  301 Walnut Blvd, Rochester, Michigan 48307

Going down W 3rd St, on the right where it crosses with Walnut Blvd, there is a brunch restaurant with a charming atmosphere. The house looks dignified and "Brunch on Another Level" is expected. 

It's walk-in only. They don't take reservations in order to best serve customers. I will tell you later how the food was because I'm scheduled to come here with Collie tomorrow😘 I could checked it out serendipitously today!

I walked back to S Main St where classy shops & cafes stand in a line. 

Thankfully, I was blessed with nice weather on this day. So next, let's walk north on S Main St and have some fun enjoying lovely atmosphere🌸

Bean & Leaf Cafe  439 S Main St, Rochester, Michigan 48307

An excellent and memorable cafe!

When I accidentally dropped and spilled my coffee on the floor (oh no~~😖😢), a beautiful staff said kindly "Don't worry!", and prepared me the same coffee as I ordered for nothing. The memory will be forever in me. 

I was happy to have visited Downtown Rochester for the first time in five years. Walking around and exploring this city again on my own, I again realize that Rochester is a charming city.

Rose

I came across DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER FARMER'S MARKET☆

 On S Main St, a signboard attracted my attention.   It says, 

JOIN US AT THE MARKET

DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER FARMERS' MARKET

＊FRESH FROM MICHIGAN＊

I will go and see them now!  I may discover delicious-looking foods related to the region.

Near the signboard, there stands an attractive Asian girl waiting at the traffic light.

DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER FARMERS' MARKET opens on Saturdays, May through October 8:00 am - 1:00 pm at the corner of E.THIRD & WATER ST.

The booth I got most interested in was Great Harvest Bread Co. from Shelby Township in Michigan.

GREAT HARVEST believes in using pure, simple ingredients, bakes everything from scratch, and fresh mill their 100% whole grain flour every day, instead of relying on the use of additives. 

The premium whole wheat from the family farms located in Montana is fresh milled every morning in the bakery, and blended with simple wholesome ingredients, like yeast, salt, and honey.  It must contribute greatly to the "hearty taste" of GREAT HARVEST. 

It's quite tempting, but I didn't buy anything this time because I had pancake lunch plans (at the same place as my breakfast!)

Leaving the fun place back to S Main St, I saw red miniature roses blooming profusely.

I was happy to have experienced a spot where the locals gather. DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER FARMERS' MARKET is a perfect community to know locally grown Michigan-made products. 

CHARMING ROCHESTER June 17, 2023 *Part I*

I will introduce charming buildings I photographed in Downtown Rochester, Michigan on June 17, 2023. 

I separate them into 2 parts. Today is the first half.

Several streets meet S Rochester Rd at right angles. I like watching peaceful atmosphere around them. This light blue & white house is located on one of those streets. 

All right, let's go back to S Rochester Rd.

A classy red brick building of SANDERS, which has been an iconic national brand providing premium confections at a fair value since its first chocolate shop started in Detroit on June 17, 1875. 

Coincidentally, this photo was taken on June 17.  So it's SANDERS' 148 anniversary.  Congratulations!

Every time I visit Downtown Rochester, I'm charmed by a lovely style of each shop. It is an original vibe, a high-rise building doesn't have.

This shop is also attractive and reminds me a little of 'American Spoon' in Petoskey, Michigan. Well I'll also write about a travel to Petoskey with Collie during I stay in Michigan. You're gonna love it.

Hilarious😆

Collie will come back to Rochester this evening after a long drive. How about some quiet time with a stylish cocktail here?

However, it ended up getting out of there to seek another place in Downtown Rochester at night because it was unexpectedly a bar where the music was loud...

A Italian restaurant might be a solution to enjoy quiet time with a nightcap.

Let me give it a try next time, Rose

Impressed by Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad at Downtown Cafe Rochester in Michigan

Downtown Cafe is a breakfast & lunch place in Downtown Rochester, Michigan. It's open from 7:00 am, every day! 

From the moment we enter, we are welcomed warmly by the owner, like, "Please take a seat anywhere you like." This is a cozy cafe I longed for visiting again since I had pancakes from scratch on the patio long time ago. Collie ordered a omelette served with American fries and bread at that time.

Fresh Squeezed Orange   Small $3.99

I tried a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice as he used to do when visiting a cafe in the morning. I usually order a cup of coffee, but I will drink it later again at my hotel.

It tasted sweet, tangy and refreshing❤︎  As featured on the website, it's the perfect way to start off the day, loaded with natural vitamin C, and other beneficial nutrients.  

I think I'll order Large $4.99 if I can come back next year. I have an interest in coffee here, though..

Here comes a salad I was hoping to try❤︎❤︎  Wow, it's gorgeous!!!

Served with cake sale? a little sweet pound cake? on the side. I secretly brought a piece to my hotel so I could enjoy with coffee later.

Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad  $13.50

Grilled Chicken, Crumbles Feta Cheese, Red onion, Candied Walnuts, and Fresh Strawberries. Served on a bed of fresh baby leaf spinach, with Ranch dressing.

I chose "Ranch" dressing for my salad. I understood what Ranch was after getting the explanation. As a result, I liked Ranch! My waitress was very beautiful... 

Please enjoy this video taken at my favorite cafe→ https://www.instagram.com/p/CvTiAIfNOi5/　

Have a wonderful weekend, Rose🌸