French dinner is our Christmas dinner between MoonFlower and I this year.
Wait. Wasn't it the same last year??? Yes, absolutely! Hehehe.

French cuisine is definitely the favorite of MoonFlower's… so we had no doubt and go for it.

Since I have to leave for Bangkok tomorrow, 25th… our celebration of Christmas 2011 came one day earlier. Hahaha.



Full french dinner course for two.









Good bread! House made.



















Good food… better say excellent food doesn't need to come with word or explanation.
Pictures can tell you all by themselves, right? I guess so.

It was fantastic time for both of us. No complaint whatsoever.

After good food, good entertainment followed.



Probably, this is the last movie to see in this year…
It was surely (!) - Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol

Great day. Thank you!

MARRY CHRISTMAS!

Don Perignon 2002!!! Famous vintage!
You know, I have never ever got any chance to drink this champagne… truly.

I saw a big discount in the online shopping mall early in this month and bought one for this Christmas.
Today, time to open this precious bottle.



It was purple label! My favorite color, right? Yes!



Too bad that we do not have any champagne glasses home. I know, it is on our (shopping) list.
Well, we have to compromise the atmosphere with cheap wine glasses. Hahaha.

So the taste? It was GOOD. I love this kind of champagne

To be frank… I still prefer Moet & Chandon to Don Perignon. I probably won't buy another DP myself.
Surely, I do not mind to taste it with you at the bar! Hahaha.

Anyhow, DP… sounds so good and luxury!

Fun with my wifey!

MoonFlower and I finally got to THAT Italian restaurant located not too far from our place.
We previously tried twice in vain. Someone no luck.
Finally tonight… it was out turn. Hahaha.

So we selected a bottle instead of glass for wine. Big dinner came up!



This red wine, of course Italian, is quite good… (and reasonable).



Oh 2009 one. Ha!



Good combination plate for appetizer.



Cheese, too.



Pasta for closing!

This place… interesting additional service.
It was Tarot reading… I have never ever asked for being read!
So I tried!

I asked of my job. Since I do not have any issue (so far) about the family.
(This means that I have some problem with my job? Go figure.)

Here was the result of reading…

Job that I do for now is fit and good to myself.
I seem to working right job.

However, my boss does not appreciate of your work much.

Hahaha… very interesting.
I should not leave any comment on this… Hahaha. Make it even more interesting, right?



Another dish… after Italian.
MoonFlower wanted to eat ramen noodle… so we went noodle shop for more noodle! Hahaha.

It was fun time with my wife. Lots of laughs and smiles with MoonFlower.
Thank you, darling!

Haven't been dined out with MoonFlower for a while (due to busy project!)…
Tonight, it was all for make-up to her!

Restaurant run by her friend in Chiba… Good dinner with a bottle of wine.







French wine tonight. Red and Bourgogne.





MF told me that I often wear this watch among others.









Well, it was a great dinner… ate too much for sure. Hahaha.

Omotesando - favorite shopping area.
It was a first time in a LONG LONG time...



Lots of new shops are open… very fast moving trend in this shopping district!



Checked out new watches… didn't buy any, though.
They are GaGa Milano from Italy.
Manual winding watch… very colorful and cool!

Somewhat expensive!







Just for coffee - turned out to be pancake. Hahaha.



Still (window) shopping afterward.

Hi folks! How's it going for you?
Just finished 3-day weekend... I am done with a movie.
Though, my "weekend" practically started in the afternoon of the 3rd today (today).
Lots of work... all preparation for business trip starting tomorrow.

Pity on me!



At least MoonFlower prepared my favorite for breakfast.
I love it! Good stuff... you know, French toast is my all time favorite!

When I was in school, whenever had a chance / time, I asked cook in the cafeteria to fix it.
Including Thunderbird's cafeteria. Hahaha.

So I worked... finished some research in the large bookstore near Tokyo station.
Well, I didn't finish this weekend without any entertainment.
Thus, MoonFlower and I went out for a movie.

I even picked up a new shirt while waiting for the movie time.



Saw brand new Japanese movie called "Unfair - the Answer." Police detective story... a female officer searching the evidence and proof for police's corruption and money laundering.



Very complex story... you cannot trust anyone in this movie. Hahaha.
Lots of surprises in the story... one after another!

All day long... I worked... progressed well? Hahaha... I wish!
Though, I certainly worked on the PPT slides until 9pm or so.
I then asked MoonFlower to dine out tonight. Felt like some drinks were absolutely needed to my body!

I just needed to shake this off... you know EXACTLY what I mean.













Had 3 glass wine for myself and obviously drank more than I could.
Thus, we came home straight and I went to bed... right away!

Another half of work will be there for me tomorrow... I will hang in there!

Japan's proud... Bullet Train. Latest N700 series is my ride for Osaka today!



Long nose... cannot fit into the frame!
Better take a video instead, huh...





Bento or lunch box... my only fun during the day... but I chose very plain one.
Do better job next time.

Next time... another Osaka trip is already scheduled for next week.
Oh boy, getting busier!
Meaning $$$? Hope so.



Usual "Sawa" Noodle Shop after all.
September special. Spicy noodle on large flat plate.
Lots of garlic... I should've asked Master before order. Too late.

Though, it was GREAT! Recommended.

Stopped by a bar for a couple of drinks...
While talking to bartender over the counter, I displaced the arm of eye frame... then couldn't fix it back under dim light of the bar.

Came home with pieces of eye frame a part... and fixed it by the walkthrough of this:



Youtube rocks!

Sunday is almost over... meaning another week ahead! Oh boy...
Anyhow, I'd better tell you that I had a fantastic time with friends today!

Thanks to my friend "Morizo" (nickname, of course), we got free tickets to:

Melos Philharmonie - The 16th Concert at Kioi Hall

Conductor: Nobuaki Nakata
Program:
1. Carl Maria von Weber - "Oberon" Overture, J. 306
2. Joseph Haydn - Symphony No.103 in E-flat major, Hob. I-103 "The Dramroll"
3. Robert Schumann - Symphony No.3 in E-Flat major, Op.97 "Rhenish"

Man, it was so wonderful music that I listened today.
The orchestra members are semi-professional... They have job to work everyday and spend time practicing for this annual concert!

You know, this whole thing really made me think... why?
That's because those people on the stage do such fun thing that they dedicate their life to in addition to daily work. What about me? I have a job... but no more.

Seems like they're spending more profound way of living...

Maybe this is something missing in mine... Never think that kind of thing for yourself???
It was so timely and moving...



Thanks to my friends who went to the concert together! It was fun!



after-concert dessert... as just needed!

One more thing for today.
Just picked up my watch... with new battery in it and works just fine...



My Paul Smith watch. Look at this purple face! So cute!!!
The Cooler the weather gets to, the more often I put this on my wrist.
It's coming for sure and shortly... just around the corner.

August 15th - big memorial for the nation of Japan... World War II Memorial.
The day when the Emperor Hirohito declared that Japan lost the War.
At noon, the silence for the prayer is everywhere...

I've got a sort of "wake up call" from my boss who knew that I am still off till tomorrow.
"You're still on vacation, right?" he asked...
Of course, I told him that he was right. Hahaha.

Anyhow, it was quite job-related and important issue.
Otherwise, I spent time watching TV - high school baseball championship.
Many good games are on and really took my attention.

For the afternoon, MoonFlower and I went out for window shopping to LaLa Port Funabashi.
Took us about 30 mins by car and we just walked around in the mall.
I picked up several ones for myself while MoonFlower had none for herself.

We didn't come back from the Mall, directly. Instead, we stopped by Urayasu.
Sounds familiar to you? Urayasu... the place I used to live while working in logistics industry.
There was a ramen noodle shop that I used to go every Thursday for supper... by myself.

Tonight, I wanted to go to that place... which I hadn't been for years.
MoonFlower came along with me.



Same noodle... same atmosphere of the noodle shop.



This thick noodle really reminded me of my old days... very interesting!
Of course, it was very tasty!!!
I surely will go back to that shop soon...

MoonFlower went to nail shop early in this morning and I followed her.
I was "supposed" to get massage for relaxation. Though, the place next to the shop she was receiving the service was pretty crowded and I gave up to get massage.

I spent (killed) the time, while waiting for her, in the cafe alone. Good to have iPad handy. Hahaha.

After several stops for her errands, we ended up in a restaurant nearby. 2nd visit for ourselves.
In fact, we have never been to this restaurant for supper / dinner. Always (somehow) for lunch.
(do not ask me why so... surely soft to my wallet!)



Very nice and simple interior.



Very cozy restaurant for sure.





Selected today's pasta... with pork and asparagus.



Surely sweets is extra...



Very good lunch indeed. With full of laughs with MoonFlower... I sounded crazy...
You know, where we live is edge part of Tokyo... not really fancy place.
However, still somehow we find such good place for us to spend time together... Very nice.

MoonFlower and I opened a bottle of wine at the evening...
It was French - Bourgogne one.
Produced in 2005... this was EXCELLENT!

Last bottle - it was Pinot wine... which was great... but this time, white one was very impressive as well.
My gosh... two in a row... good ones kept coming.
All were the choice by MoonFlower. She's got a good taste.





Bourgogne is really good... to both of us... we happened to come to good ones... another one likely???

Dinner was ready!
It was Hayashi curry over rice. My request came true thanks to my wife.
She had never made this before... and carefully read the recipe for today's dish.



Hayashi Curry over rice...
Wonderfully made and tasty!!!



Some salad came along. Very Asian taste.

Very hot summer day...
No AC turned on but ceiling fan worked...
I was wondering if fan would cost much cheaper than AC... Any idea???

Summer is obviously here...
No particular plan for the day, MoonFlower and I decided to drive our car down to some place we had never been.

It was Koshigaya Lakeside Mall. Shopping complex for (ordinary) mall, outlet mall, and movie theatre.
Of course, we went to outlet.
It was about 30-minute-drive from our apartment. Not too far.



Today's pick - sandals. I know, summer is already here and my summer "readiness" came here a bit late. Hahaha.



Same for MoonFlower. Her readiness is associated with mine.



Home wine for the day.
My favorite "Pinot Noir."
Perfect to summer like today.



Produced in 2003 - perfect choice made by MF. Thank you!!!



Around 7pm, home delivery from Ogaki...
Ogaki's famous summer sweets... Mizu Manju were sent by my father in Ogaki.



Here we go!!!





It were jello... Red beans sweet inside.

Good shopping and the day was finished with good wine and sweets! Wonderful.

It was "belated" celebration for MoonFlower's birthday.
Her birthday dinner took place near our house... but unfamiliar place for both of us.
"Hashimoto" was the place.

It was authentic Japanese for dinner.







"Morning Glory"









































Many dishes and given small portion each...
After all, we both were surely full!

Seems that MonFlower was fond of this food and happy. Very good!

Happy Birthday!!!

Finally... Visa is approved! Like you may know (?), am going to India next week.
Around 5pm today, I went to India VIsa Center to receive my passport.



My visa is valid for full year until May, 2012. Good!
Now I am relieved and get ready for India trip next week.



For dinner, MoonFlower and I went out to our usual place in Chiba.
“Tetsu Ryu” is restaurant that MF’s friend runs... he is excellent chef.
Started with a bottle of wine... This was good one!





This dish was so good... bamboo, ham, and cheese with balsamic sauce.
This seasonal dish is available for a while during this time of year... I surely miss it.

After that dish, we had several more... However, I was too drunk to be able to remember that I should take picture of each dish... Hahaha.

Omotesando was our destination for the day.
MoonFlower and I went out to a cafe where she made a reservation for tea and cake.

Yeah, it was limited open cafe in Omotesando... run by Setsuko Homma.

MoonFlower is going to take her lesson for cake baking... so that’s why.
This shop was open because Setsuko Homma recently published new book.



Somehow, the picture turned out pretty blurry... sorry! Will do better job next time.
I do not know what I did wrong. I know, I used manual mode on my camera then.



This picture is much better... Darjeeling Tea with orange.



Today’s MoonFlower collection... she picked up more than several choices today. Hahaha.

Day before my BD... the 38th.
Thus, it is last night for being 37 years old! Hahaha.

MoonFlower and I went out for dinner... BD dinner.
Well, I thought that we would go to eat Sushi for that.
On the way to a place for sushi, I bet that I hadn’t been that sure... so changed my mind.

Went to BEEF. Big one. Hahaha.





Not American but Australian one for me. 300g or 10 ounce beef steak for me.



10 ounce is not a problem. I used to eat like much bigger one!

Good BD dinner. No alcohol, though. That’s only missing tonight. Hehehe.

“Batten” is part of dialect and expression used in Nagasaki region.
This small restaurant is named after.



Nagasaki “Champon” Noodle Shop



Nagasaki “Champon” - very good!

Domino gives away free pizza today from 3pm.
I didn’t see that AD... but MoonFlower did.

Domino’s branch is located just 2 corners away from where I live.

So MoonFlower and I “dropped by” that brand around 2:30pm.
Already giving a ticket and we got one, #34.
AD says 50 free pizzas for today’s giveaway.



When we got this ticket, people were waiting outside... holding their tickets.
With ticket, how come people need to wait? I bet they wanted “fresh” ones...





Domino asks customer who got free pizza to tell more about it via SNS or Twitter.



Very thing pizza... very good, though.

At night, MoonFlower and I went out for movie. Picked “Social Network.” Yeah, it is about the founder and CEO of Facebook (no “the.&rdquo.



Was very interesting movie to me... though it was rather boring to her.
She doesn’t do much SNS... Facebook is something she didn’t know until today.
(Sure, Facebook is getting more and more popular in Japan.)

We made our first visit to IKEA this year... our minimum mission was that we return Christmas tree for full refund. Yeah, IKEA Japan practically gives a way Christmas trees for their customers. We surely took advantage of that program.

So the holiday season is now officially over!

After that visit, we moved to Omotesando for some appointment.
MoonFlower previously arranged some appointment at a cafe.
She wanted to come to dine the waffle... some special waffles.



1st dish... salad waffles with ham and salmon.



2nd dish... dessert waffles.



Made by the famous cook...

Dinner took place home with bottle of sparkling wine tonight.
1st small home party between MoonFlower and me.

MoonFlower bought this book in the cafe...







Baron de Breban - very tasty dry sparkling wine...
This can be our standard for home party from now on.
I should keep this name / brand in the record.















Eating and drinking at slower pace than usual...
Yeah, we usually made the dinner very quick and we took it slow this time...
However, the end of party was the same... the alcohol really knocked me down! Hahaha.