…and away I will be for 2 weeks.
We are heading to the States for a convention in Las Vegas. And because it’s a last minute decision, we are left with limited flight choices because most flights are FULL. In fact those returning to Singapore (the day after the convention ends) are packed as well, and we will have to transit and spend a night in Narita before catching a morning flight back the next day. But really, how can I just spend one night in Japan?? Since we are already paying so much airport taxes for the entire trip, I think we should not put it to waste but stick around in Tokyo for a few more days.
Well, now it’s time to look forward to airline food…snoozing & waking up…transit…waiting…security checks…unhappy immigration staff…jet lag…and to see my friends again! Hello Target! Kmart! Macy’s! Nordstorm! Daimaru! Tokyu Hands…wait for meee!
I will be back. Please take care and be well.
[Image is a play set from Playmobil]
Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan by Lisa Katayama
A quick and fun read for either die-hard MacGyvers or wannabes who wish to empower themselves with simple how-tos to solve all sorts of everyday problems.
Urawaza (pronounced oo rah wa za) is Japanese word for a secret trick or a shortcut. Although not all the urawazas in the book are secrets anymore, I do find these 2 particularly special: 1. Bowing isn’t only for showing respect to others in Japanese culture, but it also helps to warm the body by promoting blood circulation. Just take ten deep bows. -:- 2. Walk in the rain without slipping by pasting 2 band-aids on the soles of each shoe. One on the ball, the other on the heel.
Can’t wait to try them out!
A teacher teaching math to 7-year-old Arnav asked him, “If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?”
Within a few seconds Arnav replied confidently, “Four!”
The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three). She was disappointed. “Maybe the child did not listen properly,” she thought. She repeated, “Arnav, listen carefully. If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?”
Arnav had seen the disappointment on his teacher’s face. He calculated again on his fingers. But within him he was also searching for the answer that will make the teacher happy. His search for the answer was not for the correct one, but the one that will make his teacher happy.
This time hesitatingly he replied, “Four …”
The disappointment stayed on the teacher’s face. She remembered that Arnav liked strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn’t like apples, and that is making him lose focus. This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes she asked, “If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many will you have?”
Seeing the teacher happy, young Arnav calculated on his fingers again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher. She wanted her new approach to succeed.
With a hesitating smile young Arnav enquired, “Three?”
The teacher now had a victorious smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted to congratulate herself. But one last thing remained. Once again she asked him, “Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?”
Promptly Arnav answered, “Four!”
The teacher was aghast. “How Arnav, how?” she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice.
In a voice that was low and hesitating, young Arnav replied, “Because I already have one apple in my bag.”
The Moral of the Story?
When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect, don’t think they are wrong. There may be an angle that you have not understood at all. You will have to listen and understand, but never listen with a predetermined notion.
Loran Scruggs transforms fanciful pieces of unwanted tin cans and drink caps into very handsome rugged whistles and toys. A wild fish tin can and 2 Izzy bottle caps make up this wearable whistle.
Strictly free of BPA (Bisphenol-A) and phthalates.
Glass is acknowledged as the SAFEST material for storing food and drinks. In the case of plastics, experts recommend polypropylene (#5 PP), high-density polyethylene (#2 HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (#4 LDPE), since none of them are known to leach harmful substances. However, recently questions have been raised over the safety of polypropylene after Canadian researchers reported that 2 compounds leaked from plastic tubes made of polypropylene ruined their experiment.
For further reading, do take a look at these.
The advantage of building dividing walls is clear: cook 3 things separately at the same time, but wash only one pan. Thumbs up for this time-saver!
Found it at Kraso for 2980 Yen (about SGD 50/USD 33).
