This is Saturday Night Live's spoof on Dora the Explorer:
http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2007/03/29/can-you-say-parodia-snl-skewers-dora.aspx
Friday, March 30
Kids' Imagination
I was bathing Kai last night and he was looking for his pink train. I do not recall him ever having any pink train, be it in the bath or outside. But he was very insistent that he had one and would not take my word for it. His eyes started scanning the bathroom and then very excitedly, he said "atta (there it is)!".
It was the pink sponge that I use to clean his bathtub!
Does this mean that I can stop buying those expensive Thomas trains, and give him blue sponges instead?
It was the pink sponge that I use to clean his bathtub!
Does this mean that I can stop buying those expensive Thomas trains, and give him blue sponges instead?
Wednesday, March 28
Lalaport
[picture to be inserted here once I download]
Is it a port? Is it a children's theme park? No, it is a shopping mall!
I can never understand the name. Why "lala"? Sounds a little childish. BUT despite the name, it's a great, great place! There is already 1 in Chiba, and they just opened one in Yokohama (outskirts of Tokyo) which is not too far from my home. They opened 2 weeks ago and we have been there - twice! Yup, every weekend that they have been open, we have been there. And both times, we had free parking for the whole day! (Which is excellent because parking is quite expensive in Tokyo/Yokohama)
It is an incredible place to bring the kids too and if we have nothing else planned for this Sunday, where do you think we will be?
It is a massive shopping mall. Lots of good shops including, for me, Fortnum & Mason's tea parlour, Banana Republic and California Pizza Kitchen. I have not had a chance to eat at California Pizza Kitchen yet but want to, for sentimental reasons - I used to go to their outlet in Singapore. And truth be told, I have not gone in to this Banana Republic yet also because there are just so many shops I have not covered most of them yet. I hope they continue to give free parking for the whole of the first month!
There are many shops, both for adults and kids. Almost the whole of the 2nd floor (there are only 3 floors) is dedicated to kids. And outside is well-landscaped with lots of water - which is great for Kai. A little cold now but when the weather gets warmer, I will let him wear sandals and he can splash about in the water as much as he wants. There is even a little atrium where when it gets dark, the little lights hung over look like stars. With the lush greenery and the water, it is a very nice atmosphere that is not usual here in Tokyo.
I like it because it is one of those places where it is OK for the kids to run around, and enough shops (and water) to entertain them. There is Le Maison on the first floor. Their cakes look amazing and so elaborate. We went in and were pleasantly surprised to see lots of English books placed inside. Cookbooks for me and quality childrens books. I think we were the very first people to finger those books. After I had opened a couple of the children's books and read them to Kai, I left Kai to Tomo and proceeded to read my cookbooks. All brand new and good stuff. On the second floor, there is Akachanhonpo (departmental store for children's needs) with little play stations where you can leave your kids to play and stand back for a bit. Next door is an amusement "arcade" for kids, complete with a Thomas train that can be ridden on, air slides, big automated animals that you sit on and it walks etc. Next to that is an educational toy shop. Down the corridor from that is an indoor playground complete with tubes to crawl in, slides to slide down and netting to climb. However, they charge and being the cheapies that we are, we have so far been able to distract Kai with the free entertainment. Including a pet shop where Kai gets all excited just seeing the cats and the dogs. On our 2nd visit, we discovered Itoyokado, or more specifically, their children's section. They close at 10 (1 hour later than the rest of the building). They have a fairly huge section of free play, consisting of trains sets, computers, model garages with toy cars etc. And right next to it is a very large gym section. Floor and sides fully padded. Babies can play in there. And there's Excelsior (Starbuck's competitor) nearby. So it worked out really well for us. Kai was running between the trains, the cars and the computers. Taiga was taken out of the sling and allowed to explore in the gym, and he was very happy to be finally let out to crawl and walk. All Tomo had to do was hang around in the padded area too, keeping an eye on both Kai and Taiga. I was in Excelsior taking my break from the kids, reading my Time magazine.
Oh and on the third floor, this is a kids restaurant i.e. a restaurant with a kids area complete with ball room and slides etc. I ordered their steak set and it was surprisingly good given that this is not a steak restaurant. Tomo and I had to take turns to accompany Taiga in the play area as he is still so small. I was thinking, only a couple more months and probably less than a year from now, Tomo and I can just leave the boys in there and sit back and enjoy our food/coffee together. Gosh, I think we have not done that in years!
What else have we not covered? There is a Moomin (a very popular cartoon character from Sweden although we don't see it in Singapore) shop that comes complete with a planeterium that has a dinner show. This is fully-booked and has to be booked way in advance. I would like to try this some day. Even though we have been twice, we have not even covered half of the place, so maybe there are other cool shops there that I don't know of yet!
If you have kids, are in the Tokyo/Yokohama area, and don't want to spend too much money, this is a great place to visit.
Is it a port? Is it a children's theme park? No, it is a shopping mall!
I can never understand the name. Why "lala"? Sounds a little childish. BUT despite the name, it's a great, great place! There is already 1 in Chiba, and they just opened one in Yokohama (outskirts of Tokyo) which is not too far from my home. They opened 2 weeks ago and we have been there - twice! Yup, every weekend that they have been open, we have been there. And both times, we had free parking for the whole day! (Which is excellent because parking is quite expensive in Tokyo/Yokohama)
It is an incredible place to bring the kids too and if we have nothing else planned for this Sunday, where do you think we will be?
It is a massive shopping mall. Lots of good shops including, for me, Fortnum & Mason's tea parlour, Banana Republic and California Pizza Kitchen. I have not had a chance to eat at California Pizza Kitchen yet but want to, for sentimental reasons - I used to go to their outlet in Singapore. And truth be told, I have not gone in to this Banana Republic yet also because there are just so many shops I have not covered most of them yet. I hope they continue to give free parking for the whole of the first month!
There are many shops, both for adults and kids. Almost the whole of the 2nd floor (there are only 3 floors) is dedicated to kids. And outside is well-landscaped with lots of water - which is great for Kai. A little cold now but when the weather gets warmer, I will let him wear sandals and he can splash about in the water as much as he wants. There is even a little atrium where when it gets dark, the little lights hung over look like stars. With the lush greenery and the water, it is a very nice atmosphere that is not usual here in Tokyo.
I like it because it is one of those places where it is OK for the kids to run around, and enough shops (and water) to entertain them. There is Le Maison on the first floor. Their cakes look amazing and so elaborate. We went in and were pleasantly surprised to see lots of English books placed inside. Cookbooks for me and quality childrens books. I think we were the very first people to finger those books. After I had opened a couple of the children's books and read them to Kai, I left Kai to Tomo and proceeded to read my cookbooks. All brand new and good stuff. On the second floor, there is Akachanhonpo (departmental store for children's needs) with little play stations where you can leave your kids to play and stand back for a bit. Next door is an amusement "arcade" for kids, complete with a Thomas train that can be ridden on, air slides, big automated animals that you sit on and it walks etc. Next to that is an educational toy shop. Down the corridor from that is an indoor playground complete with tubes to crawl in, slides to slide down and netting to climb. However, they charge and being the cheapies that we are, we have so far been able to distract Kai with the free entertainment. Including a pet shop where Kai gets all excited just seeing the cats and the dogs. On our 2nd visit, we discovered Itoyokado, or more specifically, their children's section. They close at 10 (1 hour later than the rest of the building). They have a fairly huge section of free play, consisting of trains sets, computers, model garages with toy cars etc. And right next to it is a very large gym section. Floor and sides fully padded. Babies can play in there. And there's Excelsior (Starbuck's competitor) nearby. So it worked out really well for us. Kai was running between the trains, the cars and the computers. Taiga was taken out of the sling and allowed to explore in the gym, and he was very happy to be finally let out to crawl and walk. All Tomo had to do was hang around in the padded area too, keeping an eye on both Kai and Taiga. I was in Excelsior taking my break from the kids, reading my Time magazine.
Oh and on the third floor, this is a kids restaurant i.e. a restaurant with a kids area complete with ball room and slides etc. I ordered their steak set and it was surprisingly good given that this is not a steak restaurant. Tomo and I had to take turns to accompany Taiga in the play area as he is still so small. I was thinking, only a couple more months and probably less than a year from now, Tomo and I can just leave the boys in there and sit back and enjoy our food/coffee together. Gosh, I think we have not done that in years!
What else have we not covered? There is a Moomin (a very popular cartoon character from Sweden although we don't see it in Singapore) shop that comes complete with a planeterium that has a dinner show. This is fully-booked and has to be booked way in advance. I would like to try this some day. Even though we have been twice, we have not even covered half of the place, so maybe there are other cool shops there that I don't know of yet!
If you have kids, are in the Tokyo/Yokohama area, and don't want to spend too much money, this is a great place to visit.
Tuesday, March 27
Taiga Not Talking and Others
Taiga will be 1 very soon. And a couple of weeks later, Kai will be 3.
On Sunday night, in the car, with Kai singing along loudly to the kid's DVD playing
Kai to us: Taiga is not singing
Me to Tomo: Hah! Taiga cannot even talk!
Kai (laughing): That's right. Taiga can only say "ah" and "wah"!
It is moments like these when I wonder, exactly how much of our "adult" conversation can he understand?
Other Kai moments
Me: I don't think so
Kai (looking at me earnestly): I think so
Kai (nodding away, trying to sound convincing): Maybe
********
Me to a driving Tomo (pointing in a certain direction): I think it is this way
Kai to a driving Tomo (pointing in the opposite direction): I think it is that way
Do we see signs of rebellion already? :-)
As for Taiga, his development in the last 2 months has just been leaping and bounding. He can take a few steps although if he wants to get anywhere fast, it is still plain old crawling or walking on his knees. As of last week, he can even whilst standing up, bend his knees and pick something up from the floor - all without losing his balance! He loves people and gets attention everytime in public. He often breaks out in smiles and strangers are so pleased. Sometimes when he smiles, he has 1 eye closed and that is so cute. He is into pointing at different objects now and going "ah". And about a month ago, I am very sure I heard him say "Kai". He adores Kai and often wants to touch him or play with him.
On Sunday night, in the car, with Kai singing along loudly to the kid's DVD playing
Kai to us: Taiga is not singing
Me to Tomo: Hah! Taiga cannot even talk!
Kai (laughing): That's right. Taiga can only say "ah" and "wah"!
It is moments like these when I wonder, exactly how much of our "adult" conversation can he understand?
Other Kai moments
Me: I don't think so
Kai (looking at me earnestly): I think so
Kai (nodding away, trying to sound convincing): Maybe
********
Me to a driving Tomo (pointing in a certain direction): I think it is this way
Kai to a driving Tomo (pointing in the opposite direction): I think it is that way
Do we see signs of rebellion already? :-)
As for Taiga, his development in the last 2 months has just been leaping and bounding. He can take a few steps although if he wants to get anywhere fast, it is still plain old crawling or walking on his knees. As of last week, he can even whilst standing up, bend his knees and pick something up from the floor - all without losing his balance! He loves people and gets attention everytime in public. He often breaks out in smiles and strangers are so pleased. Sometimes when he smiles, he has 1 eye closed and that is so cute. He is into pointing at different objects now and going "ah". And about a month ago, I am very sure I heard him say "Kai". He adores Kai and often wants to touch him or play with him.
Correlation between a Moving Blog and Readership
It is true, the slower the blog moves, the fewer the readers.
This blog has been stagnant for some weeks. And I could see from the site meter reports that readership has been slowly going down.
For those of you readers out there (and there are still quite a few of you) who optimistically check my blog every so often thinking that maybe today is the day there will be a new post, thank you for checking in!
This blog has been stagnant for some weeks. And I could see from the site meter reports that readership has been slowly going down.
For those of you readers out there (and there are still quite a few of you) who optimistically check my blog every so often thinking that maybe today is the day there will be a new post, thank you for checking in!
Ewww!
OK, this is disgusting, but I feel compelled to share it. :-)
Another meeting story.
I was summoned to a junior partner's room to discuss a certain matter. For some reason, he made me sit down and decided to hover directly above me, as he gave me instructions.
His nose was dripping. Like a leaking tap. From my "vantage point" looking directly up at him, I would see a drop gathering and when it was sufficiently heavy, it would start making its way out of his nose and dangle a bit. He would then sniff it back in. Sometimes, he was so slow about sniffing it back in that I was so afraid it would drip on to me.
It was so disgusting. My stomach started churning and I felt like I was going to throw up. I thought of not looking up at him as he spoke to me, but decided that it was best that I look and monitor the drops. In that way, if he was too slow to sniff it back in, I can still dodge it!
Another meeting story.
I was summoned to a junior partner's room to discuss a certain matter. For some reason, he made me sit down and decided to hover directly above me, as he gave me instructions.
His nose was dripping. Like a leaking tap. From my "vantage point" looking directly up at him, I would see a drop gathering and when it was sufficiently heavy, it would start making its way out of his nose and dangle a bit. He would then sniff it back in. Sometimes, he was so slow about sniffing it back in that I was so afraid it would drip on to me.
It was so disgusting. My stomach started churning and I felt like I was going to throw up. I thought of not looking up at him as he spoke to me, but decided that it was best that I look and monitor the drops. In that way, if he was too slow to sniff it back in, I can still dodge it!
The Japanese Office Environment
Ever been in a situation where a person does not understand the situation and just keeps putting his foot in his mouth?
We were asked to provide legal advice recently to a foreign company on various commercial/intellectual property aspects and there was 1 question on the tax aspect of the deal. As the partner I was working with is not a tax lawyer, he roped in a junior lawyer from the tax department to assist us.
Now, the junior lawyer was giving us the most ludicrous of advice. It just absolutely did not make sense. The partner very patiently tried to indirectly/politely help him along, to reconsider his position/advice, by putting questions to him. But the junior lawyer just did not understand the situation, did not understand that the partner was politely helping him, and with a straight-face and in all earnesty, kept reflecting away/dismissing those little pointers. I thought it was so hilarious, I would never dare to speak to a partner like that. It did not help that this partner has rather animated expressions and it showed on his face each time the junior lawyer rejected his pointers. Alas, the junior lawyer could not also read faces. (As an aside, I think this is one of those situations where EQ is definitely more valuable than IQ!)
Finally, the partner gave up and said "I think you should consult with the tax partner". To which the junior lawyer replied, in all sincerity and earnestness "No, I will not consult with the tax partner." By that time, my face was totally contorted from trying to stop bursting out laughing.
How can anyone be so clueless? It is so hard to describe the scenario, but that was how "blind" the junior lawyer was to his mistakes as well as how his advice was being received.
The next day, the partner sent me an e-mail to tell me not to relate this incident to anyone (I understand that to mean anyone within my firm, blogging about it to the rest of the world is fine! :-) ) as he wanted to "protect" the reputation of the junior lawyer. I took the opportunity to tell the partner "I personally thought yesterday's meeting was good entertainment and had to control myself from laughing ......", to which he responded "you did laugh but without making sounds. Good job!".
That's the difference between working in a law firm in Singapore and in Japan. Had that junior lawyer been working in Singapore, I don't think a partner would be so concerned about protecting his reputation. In fact, he would probably be telling all other partners and working on getting that junior lawyer fired (indirectly, by not giving him any work). And instead of patiently giving the junior lawyers pointers, the partner would have been yelling and a book may even have flown across the air in the room, headed towards the junior lawyer.
It is incidents like these that remind me (and many fellow foreign lawyers) why Japan is such a great place to work!
We were asked to provide legal advice recently to a foreign company on various commercial/intellectual property aspects and there was 1 question on the tax aspect of the deal. As the partner I was working with is not a tax lawyer, he roped in a junior lawyer from the tax department to assist us.
Now, the junior lawyer was giving us the most ludicrous of advice. It just absolutely did not make sense. The partner very patiently tried to indirectly/politely help him along, to reconsider his position/advice, by putting questions to him. But the junior lawyer just did not understand the situation, did not understand that the partner was politely helping him, and with a straight-face and in all earnesty, kept reflecting away/dismissing those little pointers. I thought it was so hilarious, I would never dare to speak to a partner like that. It did not help that this partner has rather animated expressions and it showed on his face each time the junior lawyer rejected his pointers. Alas, the junior lawyer could not also read faces. (As an aside, I think this is one of those situations where EQ is definitely more valuable than IQ!)
Finally, the partner gave up and said "I think you should consult with the tax partner". To which the junior lawyer replied, in all sincerity and earnestness "No, I will not consult with the tax partner." By that time, my face was totally contorted from trying to stop bursting out laughing.
How can anyone be so clueless? It is so hard to describe the scenario, but that was how "blind" the junior lawyer was to his mistakes as well as how his advice was being received.
The next day, the partner sent me an e-mail to tell me not to relate this incident to anyone (I understand that to mean anyone within my firm, blogging about it to the rest of the world is fine! :-) ) as he wanted to "protect" the reputation of the junior lawyer. I took the opportunity to tell the partner "I personally thought yesterday's meeting was good entertainment and had to control myself from laughing ......", to which he responded "you did laugh but without making sounds. Good job!".
That's the difference between working in a law firm in Singapore and in Japan. Had that junior lawyer been working in Singapore, I don't think a partner would be so concerned about protecting his reputation. In fact, he would probably be telling all other partners and working on getting that junior lawyer fired (indirectly, by not giving him any work). And instead of patiently giving the junior lawyers pointers, the partner would have been yelling and a book may even have flown across the air in the room, headed towards the junior lawyer.
It is incidents like these that remind me (and many fellow foreign lawyers) why Japan is such a great place to work!
Tuesday, March 6
Ikea
OK, I love Ikea. Esp their restaurant and cafe with US$1 hot dogs. I have nothing against them and think their arrival (for the 2nd time in Japan, but I will write more about that in a later post) is wonderful. Wish they were around when we moved into our house.
However, my colleague related this little experience he had with them recently that had me up in stitches. And amazingly, he is not mad at them. He is looking at the whole incident philosophically.
My colleague is new in Japan. He went to Ikea, saw some furniture which he liked, paid for them and arranged for delivery. Then shortly thereafter and before the sofas were delivered, he found that he preferred sofas from another place better. So he calls Ikea to cancel his purchase. Ikea said that he can cancel and get a refund, but the furniture still has to be delivered to him first, before it can be returned.
Huh? Yes, even though he is cancelling his purchase, the sofas must be delivered to his house first. At the time of delivery, he will tell them that he does not want it anymore. And then they will take away the furniture. So my colleague was obviously saying no, I am telling you NOW that I don't want the furniture, don't want then delivered at all. He is also a busy guy at the office and the last thing he wants to do is stay home to take delivery of furniture that he does not want and has cancelled.
Ikea would not budge. And this is the compromise.
The delivery truck would indeed bring the furniture to his house. At the gates, instead of unloading the furniture straightaway, the delivery guys would call his secretary at the office. The secretary would confirm that my colleague does not want the furniture and to please take it away. And the delivery truck would drive away with the sofa still in it and my colleague would thereafter get his refund.
And that actually happened last week.
However, my colleague related this little experience he had with them recently that had me up in stitches. And amazingly, he is not mad at them. He is looking at the whole incident philosophically.
My colleague is new in Japan. He went to Ikea, saw some furniture which he liked, paid for them and arranged for delivery. Then shortly thereafter and before the sofas were delivered, he found that he preferred sofas from another place better. So he calls Ikea to cancel his purchase. Ikea said that he can cancel and get a refund, but the furniture still has to be delivered to him first, before it can be returned.
Huh? Yes, even though he is cancelling his purchase, the sofas must be delivered to his house first. At the time of delivery, he will tell them that he does not want it anymore. And then they will take away the furniture. So my colleague was obviously saying no, I am telling you NOW that I don't want the furniture, don't want then delivered at all. He is also a busy guy at the office and the last thing he wants to do is stay home to take delivery of furniture that he does not want and has cancelled.
Ikea would not budge. And this is the compromise.
The delivery truck would indeed bring the furniture to his house. At the gates, instead of unloading the furniture straightaway, the delivery guys would call his secretary at the office. The secretary would confirm that my colleague does not want the furniture and to please take it away. And the delivery truck would drive away with the sofa still in it and my colleague would thereafter get his refund.
And that actually happened last week.
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