baby shower

:: お持ち帰りのお土産として作ったマカロン。コレって本当に難しい！３度目のトライ… ::

:: I made macaroon as a party favor. They are so difficult to make and this was my 3rd time trying and finally got a decent result... ::

いろいろあって更新が３週間遅れですが、母親と義姉がRabbitのためにベビーシャワー（出産前のお祝い）を３月６日に実家のある地元で開いてくれました。久しぶりに逢う友人や親戚もいたよ。

It's about 3 weeks late update, my mom and sister-in-law throw us a baby shower on March 6 back in Hampton Roads. It was very nice to see family and old friends we haven't seen in awhile.

Beecher ordered us a Rabbit cake! Cute, but everyone thought of a mouse at first!! 義姉がオーダーしてくれたウサギケーキ。箱を空けた瞬間みんなが、「えっ！？ネズミ？」（苦笑）

thoughs 今の気持ち

震災から早くも２週間。状況が多少なりに良くなっていると信じたいけれど、毎日ニュースを見るたびに心が痛む。特に不安なのが原発の状況。どうなっちゃうんだろうと常に不安がよぎる。早く問題が収まって、復興に１００％エネルギーを注ぐ事が出来るようになるといいんだけど…

悲しいニュースも多い反面、日本人で良かった。日本人ってすごい、と嬉しくなるようなニュースも。友達に「よく他の国では災害時に暴動とかおきるけど、日本ではそんなことなくお互い助け合っててすごいね。」と言われたよ。嬉しかったし、誇らしかった… 日本のみんなはもちろんの事、海外にいる日本人も一丸になって、しっかり現実を受け止め少ない中にも出来る事を見つけて前進しようとしている姿勢がすごい。

さらに世界中の人々が募金したりして応援している姿を見ると、嬉しくなる。なんでも赤十字に集まった義援金は記録的とか…?　感謝の気持ちを忘れずに、こうしてみんなが助け合って前進するしかないんだよね。

Two weeks have past since the 9.0 M quake and tsunami hit and wiped out East side of Japan. It is still hard to digest what happened and what's still going on over here. I am still nervous to see news, especially about the unstable condition of the nuclear plant in Sendai, Japan.

What's going to happen? I really hope that the radiation will be soon under control, so everyone can focus 100% of rebuilding.

While there are overwhelming amount of sad news pours in, there are some good news which make me be proud and happy to be Japanese. A friend told me that he was impressed that there was no looting unlike some other countries, but instead everyone seems to help each others and trying to rebuild Japan together. Not only people in Japan, but people all over the world are trying to help those survivors and affected ones by doing something they can do and it's such an awesome thing to see.

Unfortunately, the damage is done. Now all we can do is to move forward by helping each others, even a small step forward is more important and meaningful while being thankful to others and what you have.

頑張れ日本!! Help Japan!! #3

More ways to help people in Japan...

:: Threadless.com ::
100% of net proceeds from the sale of this tee will go to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund.

:: Comfort for Kids ::
"Bright Horizons will match dollar for dollar, pound for pound, euro for euro, all contributions (e.g. individual, center/nursery fundraiser, etc.) up to $25,000."

:: World Market ::
"Cost Plus World Market will donate 100% of its net proceeds of sales of all products produced in Japan to Direct Relief International, to aid in the relief and humanitarian efforts currently underway in response to the country's recent earthquake and tsunami."

-------------------------

:: Events around DC area ::
**All proceeds from the same will go to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund.
[Thursday, March 24 ]

Walk with Japan by Japan-America Society
from 6;30P.M,
@ Washington Monument （15th St SW Washington, DC 20050）

Charity concert by Hilary Hahn
7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m).
@St. John's of Baltimore Church
2640 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218

[Friday March 25 & Saturaday, March 26]

Yard Sale Fri 3-5:30P.M. / Sat 10:30A.M.-2:30P.M.
@Japanese Christian Community Center/Washington International Japanese
Church
1099 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md 20852 saigo@wajc.org

[Saturday March 26, 2011]

Charity Yard Sale ** (rain or shine)
From 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. -- free (Early Birds 8-9 A.M. $5/person)
US HRK​ 4447-A Brookfield Corp Dr. Chantilly, VA 20151
Cash or personal check only

Charity Yard Sale and Sushi Sale by MOMS club of Muddy Branch & North Potomac**
From 10 A.M. to 1 P.M.
481 Phelps Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (Lakelands）

Charity Bake Sale and Obento-goods Sale by Himawari no Kai ** (Japanese kindergarten)
from 11 A.M.
St. Marks Montessori School
5800 Backlick Road., Springfield, VA 22150

Japanese Earthquake Disaster Relief - Save the Children
7 to 9 P.M. (doors open at 6 P.M.)
The Park at Fourteenth (21+only)
920 14th St. NW, Washington, DC

Fee(donation): $15(student $10) online.
Please bring checks or donate online. If you donate online, please bring the copy of the receipt

Charity Bake and Yard Sale
10 A.M. - 1 P.M.
@ Christ Episcopal Church
6800 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia, MD 21045
(Intersection of Oakland Mills Rd. and Dobbin Rd.)

[Sunday March 27, 2011]

Charity Yard Sale
9 A.M. to 3 P.M.
@ Clareybrook park
12808 Rannoch Forest Circle, Bristow VA

[Saturday April 2, 2011]

Silver Spring Big Cherry Block Party by Baltimore Canon, Japanese Classical
music group
11 A.M. - 7 P.M.
910 Ellsworth Drive, Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

[Sunday April 3, 2011]

Charity Yard Sale
8A.M. - 2 P.M.
14605 Cedar Knoll Dr. Centreville, VA

[Saturday April 23, 2011]

Charity Yard Sale
Washington Waldorf School
4800 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 20816

頑張れ日本!! Help Japan!! #2

Here is another item brought to my attention (Thanks Melissa!)...
このノートの売上金が東日本震災の義援金として寄付されます。

"Scout Books has released this three-pack of blank books, fea­tur­ing a sim­ple red heart on the cover. 100% of the pro­ceeds will go directly to Mercy Corps and their relief efforts."

Here's the original article on DesignWorkLife.com

頑張れ日本!! Help Japan!!

東日本大震災により，被災された皆様に謹んでお見舞い申し上げます。また、行方不明になっている方のご無事と早期救出を心よりお祈り致します。

毎日ニュースを見るたびに胸が痛む。一瞬にして何もかも飲み込んで行った津波の怖さ。余震の続く中、次から次へと問題の出ている原発炉。（妹家族が栃木県に住んでいるので、内陸向きの風が心配…）日本はこの先どうなってしまうんだろうとの不安がこみ上げて来る…　日本にいる家族や友達、又は被災した方々に対してなにも出来ない自分が歯がゆい。

Praying and hoping for the best Japanese who were affected by this terrible disaster...

However it is nerve-wrecking to see those videos and photos pouring everyday from there, and it's very overwhelming to see tsunami that swallowed everything in no time. The tremors are still continue while the nuclear plants keep having scary problems one after other. (I am really scared and worried about my sister and her family who live in the adjacent prefecture to Fukushima. Just hoping that wind won't blow inland toward where there live...) Overwhelming concerns for Japan's future occupies my mind while I feel powerless and wish I could help out my family and friends as well as the disaster victims over there.

看護士の友達は避難所に派遣されるとか。実際に援助できるスキルがある人が羨ましくおもえる。妊婦じゃなければ、現地でボランティアでもしたい気持ちだが、今の私にせめて出来るのは義援金募集くらい。少しでも助けになればと、先日私も募金しました。

これから募金を考えている方に、赤十字以外にもいろいろな募金・援助方法があるので紹介したいです。

One of my friends who is nurse is supposedly sent out to the affected area to help out the victims. I envy her for having such useful skill to contribute. If I weren't pregnant, I almost want to go over there to help out, but for now only thing I can do is to donate.

For those who are planning to donate and help, here are some other organizations and methods, other than Red Cross. Every bit count!!

【赤十字以外の募金サイト • Other donation sites】

• Canpan Fields (Japanese NPO)
• Save the Children
• Non-Believers Giving Aid (scroll down the page for Japan earthquake relief)
• NGO Jen (in English and Japanese)
• International Medical Corps
• Association of Medical Doctors in Asia
• Donate via Paypal

• Donate lifesaving supplies via ShelterBox

【応援グッズ。収益は全て義援金として寄付される様です。All proceeds will be donated.】

From W+F Studio: Help Japan Poster

From Lady Gaga: Japan Earthquake Relief Wristband

仮に状況が落ち着いたとしても、復興までにはかなりの時間がかかるはず…　残念ながら今回の震災に直接関係のない人々は、時間が経つにつれメディアが取り上げない限り、いつかは震災のダメージの酷さやまだ援助の必要な被災者のことを忘れ始めるかもしれない。そうならないためにも、Tシャツなどは今回の震災を忘れず、復興するまで常に応援しつづけてもらうのには良いのかも。

Even if the situation calms down and things get under control (hopefully soon...), it will take a long time for the affected areas to recover. Unfortunately, the more time passes, the less media will cover. Then eventually people start to go on with their lives and pay less attentions to those who still need help. For the reasons, perhaps, these items are helpful to remind of this awful disaster and the affected people...

【募金ではないけれども、日本との連絡に関する情報】

• 今なら日本へのSkypeが無料。To use Skype Access to Japan is free.
  
• 今月一杯AT&T, Verizon, Sprintを通じで日本への連絡が無料。Contact Japan for free via AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and more (update).
  

PLEASE HELP!: earthquake and tsunami in Japan

My thoughts and prayers go out to people in Japan who were affected by this overwhelmingly terrifying earthquakes and tsunami. Hope your family and friends in Japan are safe.

Here's how you can help people affected by this. The American Red Cross has already set up an online donation site to provide assistance to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Or text REDCROSS to 90999 for an automatic $10 donation (the amount will be taken off your phone bill). A little can go a long way. So please donate what you can....

While my family and friends were affected by this terrible disaster, luckily all of them are safe and no injury. I am glad that my brother no longer lives Sendai, Fukushima where damages are huge. Also I know some of my friends who were at work had to stay over night not being able to go home, but thankfully they are all seemed to be okay.

Daily Findings :: Fortune Cookie Coin Purses

Open this cookie and you will find your fortune and a little more ($$)!

{via: laissezfaire}

Daily Findings :: Wooden Toys

There is something really wonderful about wooden toys. These are by Pencil Pencil Stencil.

プラスチック製のオモチャで溢れる今日、木製の物は独特の暖かさがあって好き。これは Pencil Pencil Stencilによるもの。

{via : Lottie Loves}

DIY sewing 裁縫

不器用な私が珍しく裁縫にチャレンジ！ミシンは持ってないので母親から借りて、中がビニールの袋大小と授乳用ケープを…　ミシン弄ったのは大学以来。幸いにも使い方はちゃんと覚えてたよ〜（中学の時の家庭科のおかげ?!）

The recent DIY challenge was sewing! I borrowed the sewing machine from my mother and made wet bags and breastfeeding apron. The last time I used a sewing machine was probably back in college. Luckily enough, I still remembered how to use it!!

縫い目みるとかなりノタノタのぼろぼろ。やっぱり裁縫は性格的にあっていないのかも。悪戦苦闘の結果、見た目はともかく一応使える物が出来たので私にしては上出来なのかも…　裁縫が上手だったおばあちゃんの血が遺伝してないのは確実だわ。

However, if you look at them very closely, they are pretty terrible. The seams aren't straight and not pretty at all, but at least they are functionable pieces. Needless to say, sewing is probably not my cup of tea, but I tried!! Obviously I didn't inherit the skill set from my seamstress grandmother after all... ugh!

[弟が送ってくれた卯年の絵馬。両親が私や兄弟の絵馬を飾ってたのを真似。:: Ema for the Year of Rabbit which my brother got for me. I wanted to have this just like my parents had for me and my siblings.]

ウサちゃんの為にがんばったけれど、不器用な自分にがっくり… 裁縫が上手な人が羨ましい〜
It was all for Rabbit, but a little discouraged at my sewing skill... I envy people who can sew!!

impulse buy 衝動買い

週末にTargetによったらこんな可愛いものを発見！思わず衝動買いしてしまう。…いや、自分用じゃなってば。気が早いけれど、もちろんラビット（卯年なので現在のニックネーム）用。

予定日まで８週間切った〜。やっとワシントンDCも暖かくなってきたし、胎動も頻繁になってきたので最近ルンルン気分。楽しみになってきました。チョコチョコと必要な物も揃ってきたよ〜　友達や親戚から頂いたりとすでに甘やかされているウサギさん。みんなに感謝♫感謝♪

This was our impulse buy from Target this past weekend! We had to get it since it was so cute!! ...No, it's not for me. I know it's a little early but it's for Rabbit (her nickname for now since 2011 is the year of Rabbit).

Now I have less than 8 more weeks to go!! Since finally it's getting warmer in Washington DC, and he movement has been more frequent and stronger, it's getting exciting! Also we have been getting ready for Rabbit's arrival, and our thoughtful and kind family and friends are sending us presents for Rabbit. Thank you so much everyone!! Surely she will love them. :)

可愛いイラストのCDと絵本はK＆Jから。さすがデザイナー友達。センスがいい♪
These CD and books with lovely illustrations are from K&J. Being a designer, she has good eyes for great illustration work!!

アメリカでの名字が Elefante（スペイン語で象さん）になるので、D&Jが象さんのぬいぐるみをプレゼントしてくたよ。手作りなんで世界で一個のウサちゃんの大切な物になるね〜★

Since Rabbit's last name will be Elefante (Elephant in Spanish), D&J got this elephant plush that is probably only one in this whole world since it looks like handmade! She will love it!!

ビージェイ側の叔母から。いろいろ考えて選んでくれたっぽい。象さんがビージェイでサルが私。結婚式とゾウとサルのテーマだったからしっかり覚えていてくれたみたい! しかも、ピンクが苦手な私たちの事を配慮してくれているし〜　お尻のフリフリとか女の子っぽいけど、全体的に甘すぎず気に入ってます。

Auntie Linda got these awesome outfits for Rabbit. She must put a lot of thoughts selecting them since they are not pink and overly girly, but very cute with Elephant (Beejay) and Monkey (me) on them! (We used the Elephant and Monkey theme for the wedding three years ago as well. )

義姉と甥っ子が私にくれたヨッシーのコインケース。Targetで見かけて衝動買いしたらしい（笑）アメリカではYoshiと呼ばれているヨッシーは私のこっちでのニックネームと一緒なのです〜 きっとウサちゃんに取られてしまうんだろうなぁ…

My sister-in-law and nephew got me this coin purse from Target. It was cute to learn that Brandon thought about me when he saw this at the store! ... I have feeling that Rabbit eventually will take this away from me... hehe