Lots of good foods… all day long!
Christmas celebration started at Conrad Tokyo Hotel -
Restaurant called "cerise" - same place as last year!

It was good one last year; so we try this year again.
Not making our tradition at this particular place for every Christmas, though.
Hahaha.



Late reservation made us sit near entrance rather than window-view side.
Didn't matter to us much.
1st drink was Champaign. No doubt about that.









Good dinner for sure.
Right volume for both of us. Not too much… not too less. Just good.

MoonFlower made a small remark that she would like to go to Mandarin Oriental Tokyo for next Christmas.
Restaurant called "Signature" - sounds French and expensive… is it?
Hahaha.

Walked from Shiodome to Otemachi - quite bit of distance.
It was just because we didn't end up with what we want for Christmas present.
Neither of us get one… at least today.

Then, celebration continued home after all.



Another bottle for the day!









Still lots of sweets available to choose from!
Full of good… wonderful foods for today.
Yes, it was just our Christmas.

And this is closing moment of extended weekend. Great time!

After Munich trip, I have to resume my diet - SERIOUS DIET!!!
Look what I got for lunch today:



See, very healthy!!! Full of vegetables!
I didn't even finish then…
Supper was also part of diet. Another bowl of salad followed.

Plus, tofu. Made it tofu salad in total! Not bad, huh?

Healthy plus very cheap food saving my pennies!
I will continue my serious diet from today for as long as I can last.
Yes, minus 2 kilo is a must!

As per her request or DEMAND? MoonFlower took me some place around noon today-
It was a ceremony of afternoon tea.
Yeah, British stuff even though I just came back from Germany and this is still Japan!

















Very much filling. Good stuff, too.
At the same time, this reminded me that I have missed some Japanese food like Ramen noodle.
Hahaha, so I went!

"Santo-ka" ramen noodle shop.





Yes, I can tell that I am 120% Japanese! Hehehe.

Fall is just around the corner.
Morning and night… the temperature is lower...



In the morning, I was FORCED to walk the dog.
Though, found fancy flower… like that.
Cool. I appreciate the beauty of nature for sure.

Big shopping day for my family.
Though, nothing was for me. In fact, I didn't pick any for myself.
Why not?

Hmm. Just not in such mood to spend any money today.
Maybe just not my turn then.

Had a good cake, though.



Went in to "Afternoon Tea Cafe" and picked this cake.
Doesn't look too fancy… but tasty for sure. It really was. Recommended.
I should try others in the menu next time. Hehehe.

I had no luck.
Today's destination was the outlet mall in Chiba.
Yeah, drove about one hour. Not too far. Pretty quick.



In the dining area, I got this noodle plate.
Famous one. It was quite big for me; I barely finished the whole thing.
Well, good one for sure. Though, I doubt that I even get this noodle set again when coming here next time.



Another wonderful pick was of the cake. Fattening for sure. Hahaha.
Well, this is good and sweet enough.
Came from no-famous cake shop. Though, certainly good one.

I LOVE strawberries. I cannot resist this cake… TOO MUCH.

Rare food for me to eat… but ate!
It was horse meat.
This "BAR" didn't serve anything else but horse meats. Interesting, huh.



It was like ordinary tavern. Really.



Fresh meat like sashimi.



"Tataki."



Somehow, "Loco Moco."

Quite reasonably priced. Pretty good taste, too.
Thus, I should go back and see other menu.
Good thing is that the location wasn't quite far from where I live.

It lines up lots of sake and wine. That is additional good point.
Well, I do not care much about sake… but maybe perfect to bring friends over.
Try this place again soon.

Now open "Man of Steel."
Why not super man? Hmm.



Same director - who directed recently-completed Bat-man series.
I guess, the tone of this movie was quite same or similar to how the Bat-man series started out.
So much resemblance in it.



MoonFlower bought some sake - just returned domestic business trip.
Got this bottle in the airport… seemed to be a good stuff.

Opened the bottle… very fruity smell was spread over. Was really good stuff!!!

No wonder that this really got me in short period of time… fell down to my bed so quickly!

Day off today again!
Well, it is my summer time off. Not bad, huh.
Though, I have interesting plan.

I somehow made an appointment for annual health check-up.
This is mandatory - meaning that I am not really taking day off today?
Good question - never thought about it.



New employer of mine - means new clinic for check-up.
This is first place for me to go through the process.
Appointment was at 10am.

Finished at 11:25am or so.
Though at the reception, I was told by a nurse that I needed to come back at 1:20pm for doctor's appointment.
I had a bad idea… anything wrong with me?

Had a free lunch since the clinic gave me a free coupon at the Chinese restaurant downstairs.
Not enough to kill time until then.
Went to a coffee shop nearby while waiting.

1:10pm… went in and saw a doctor who was quite apologetic to me somehow.
It was simply because there was nothing wrong EXCEPT one thing - my waist is over the average. Hahaha.
He said, sorry but this is per guideline. That is true.

Good thing is that all figures from check-up were good.



Then late afternoon, I hit the road.



DROVE across the ocean! Cool huh!!!
It was a wonderful drive… and I partially went over the speed limit by a little!
Yes, I will be careful.

After the supper, I came to see a GREAT DEAL.



My father sent me some hometown's sweets!!!



This is available only in the summer time. Very precious!
Of course, I was quite happy with these!!! Great taste for sure.



Great drive… Great run!!!
I will drive more during this weekend.

New place we checked out…
Cafe not too far from where I live.
Just a matter of 10 minutes drive or so.



This sweets place was featured in TV, recently.
Very small place it was, though.



Selected small cake for myself.
400 yen? I think something like that.
It was pretty good… I should go back and check some others more.

Am sure to do so very soon.



New car, already?
Fiat Panda - this is sub for a couple of days since my Giulietta is for 1st month inspection.
Am sure that it has no problem… so far running so good.

Now one watch is back to me after overhaul.







Yes, this is now back!
My precious watch!
Rubber belt is perfect for this extremely hot summer which is already here.

Good.



To kick off the extended weekend from tomorrow, just celebrated that with beer ALONE.
Yes, went to local tavern by myself and had some drinks with food. Not bad, huh.

Drove already 500 kilo meters!!!



Sushi for supper!

Great night is from great bottle of wine!!!



Opened 1er cru Pommier Chablis wine then.
Not bad… really great!
Quite expensive stuff… rare to drink such home for sure.







Good food followed. Too much stuff… I overate for sure.

Original plan was totally different.
MoonFlower wanted to go to Ginza for (window) shopping.
Because of some special sales in some department store.

After her (intense?) consideration, we no longer needed to go.

Thus, we went out by car. To where? Dealership.
In fact, visited 3 different dealers within today. Fast, huh.
First, it was Audi.

Audi dealer shares the parking lot with some restaurant.
The guide in the parking lot thought that we were for food.
Hahaha. MoonFlower and I did not look like one going to Audi.

Maybe because too luxury brand for someone like us. Hehehe.

Checked out A1 and A3. Even test drive with A3. NOT BAD AT ALL.
Actually, everything was cool and nice. Very smooth.
May be too good... to feel anything while driving.

The showroom was notably luxurious and spacey. Nice.

Stopped by 2nd place, Alfa Romeo. Yes, Giulietta.
It was first touch for MF - Italian car.
She definitely loved the exterior. Very stylish.

Test drive... very fun to drive. COOL. I liked it.

Then last not least... BMW. Went there around 5pm.
Many luxury cars were placed within limited space!
Sales man was very proud of what he was selling.

BMW is great car with lots of neat technology!

No wonder that so many friends around me did buy such car.

I liked 3 Series so much. Though, MF cannot drive a big car.
Thus, we shifted toward 1 Series.
Unfortunately, no 1 Series for test drive available today.

So your big question must be like "Are we seriously going to buy a new car?"
Well, I do not know.
Today, it was nothing but just educational.

Understanding what kind of car is in the market for how much value.

Maybe we ought to try MB. yeah, Mercedes-Benz, next time. Hahaha.
Wait. Have I ever thought about the budget?
As far as I know, I have never ever estimated or came up with any particular figures.

Nothing in my mind... BAD, huh. My fault.
Well, will see how this our interest in buying a new car develops hereof.





For supper, we went into an Italian restaurant nearby.
Got a couple of glasses of wine over dried food and pasta.
Good and easy dine-out tonight.

All right. That is all for this weekend.

Left home for mother-in-law's place at 8:30am.
Usually 1 hour drive or so.
Today… different just because of Golden Week.



Heavy traffic! Too heavy.
Made the destination at 10 after noon.
Longer than 3 hours. Too bad.

Before doing things planned, lunch became 1st priority.



Soba or Japanese soba noodles was the selection.
Pretty good!
Plus, some tempura. Excellent!

This food made us do things as planned very smoothly. Hahaha.
Went to cemetery… yes, visited to a grave.
Shopping for in-law. Too many stuff, hahaha.

I went on to walk the dog with MoonFlower.
Good exercise for sure.
Diet? Helped? Hope so.

How's it going, folks? MoonFlower and I slept in and missed the delivery in the early morning.
We woke up around 9:30am. Hahaha.
Anyway, made a quick call to delivery person and he came back in hour or so.

Thanking him for making two trips! Yes, we know, it is all out fault.



Delivered wine bottles from Enoteca.
I made online order completed late afternoon. Yeah, it was Saturday afternoon.
Very fast delivery - next day without any extra cost. Good deal.

In the afternoon, we had periodical fire alarm inspection home.
Nothing went wrong and alarms in every room proved working properly.
Good.

Late afternoon… around 4:30pm, we went out to Chiba.
Dinner and music live tonight at friend's restaurant. Cool, huh!



Supper dish prior to music. Two free drinks included.
Beer first and another drinks.
MoonFlower went for another one and I joined. Chose and drank red wine. Good enough for me!



Live music - Indian music instrument (drum) called Tabla and Japanese guitar - Shamisen.
Interesting combination and unique music!
Those players were just before me within 1 yard or so. Indeed!

Dramatic sounds for several hours! Fascinating!

It were like jazz session. They never played together before today.
Though, managed perfect music in harmony. Wonderful session it was. Really was.
Ver unique, huh!

Wearing the Jawbone UP all day now you can see what data gathering...



110% of sleep - target 6 hours and actual 6 hours and 37 minutes.
138% of walk - target 8,000 steps and actual 11,098 steps.
15 items eaten for 1,557 kilo calories.

Interesting enough? This is only on dashboard and you can see more in details.

In the music session, I found another audience wearing black UP. Already that popular?
Hehehe.
Will see how else around me has such cool gadget like that!



Home-made cake by MoonFlower.
This is my birthday cake according to her!
Really? A bit early… Hmm.

All right. That is it for today.
See you tomorrow!

Thanks to friends!
Had a special discount at Banana Republic.
30% off on top of every single discount available at outlet shop.



This is equivalent to gold card to me! Hehehe.
Here are winning stuff from my shopping today:







Three above plus one pair of pants which already gone to alteration.



I beg MoonFlower to stop by this old ramen shop for supper tonight.
I used to come this place every Thursday night after work.
Yeah, near old apartment where I used to live.



Nothing ever changed. Really same ramen still today!
Good reminder about old days that I was working in logistics industry.

In Shinjuku area - found new place for me to dine in.
Very small place.
That place serves excellent food like those:



Just half year ago - opened by a guy that I know over Internet.
It was first meeting with him.
I kept a promise to him that I would come and eat.



Beef!



Polk!





Chicken!



See, everything that came before me was super duper delicious!!!
The location - hard to tell.
Though, I surely check it out and go back.

Great night. Just like that.

New convenience store opened near the office.
And saw a big character idol was waving just outside of the store.



Called "PONTA." Cutie mascot of some card point service available at that convenience store.
Sorry, I do not have a membership.
I use Edy - a competition. Hahaha.



Lunch was Thai food.
Good memory… no longer part of my life / career / entertainment? Hmmm.



Dinner took place in a restaurant.
MoonFlower worked over time and we met in the train station.
Decided to eat out for supper. Light chore day for her.



My "chore" type thing is to refill the ink to fountain pens of my collection. Hahaha.
Only three tonight.

MoonFlower and I made it quite early this morning.
Very rare.
Usually, we're slow in Saturday morning.

Probably, Sunday morning also. Yeah, lazy, huh.

When I finished taking shower, it was yet 8am or so. Very early!
Made my day quite long. Very good!
Longer time I can spend more things can be done.

Making our weekend more fruitful.



Book titled "Professional's Documentation Capability"
Written by the internal trainer at IBM (Consulting Division).
This was a best seller for a while. I do not know it is so still today.

I made a request to local public library for my reading.
Finally came here... My request was submitted way back... like last year.
Returning due today... so I read it at very fast pace.

Very good book, indeed. Approach was quite squared.
I took some notes out of that book.
Yes, returned the book in time.

MoonFlower spent some time with her friends today.
Came back around the supper time.
So we decided to dine out. At cheap local tavern tonight.





















Food after food. We surely ordered too much.
Less alcohol.

Bill came still small. Surprising. We expected a much larger (than usual).
She and I had to laugh to that together.
Very economic supper. Good one, though.

MoonFlower wanted to go to some gallery for her favorite crafts.
Well, we did get there… stayed there for a while… in vain.
She ended up buying nothing. Zero. Nada.

Hmmm. I really thought that she went there for a big shopping. Hahaha.
Maybe next time.

Then, we continued a little journey and came here.



"Patissier Inamura Shozo" - famous cake shop.
More than 20 people were in line outside. Must be really good!
Spent about 40 minutes waiting. Seriously.



Like hotel - there is a coordinator serving outside.
Must be really good!!! Hahaha.



Cream puff - pretty good!



This is THE famous. Strawberry roll.
Did I like it? Yes, I did.



Montblanc - chestnut cake. Another good one.

Of cpurse, we still opened a bottle over supper tonight.
Italian wine. Chianti.



La Galliana - reasonably priced at local grocery store.



Not bad.

Along with supper, entertainment for the night was "Top Design" show.



Viewed by Hulu. MF was quite into this show.
20 episodes? Then we have to continue watching into tomorrow.

Chasing after AWESOME French toast today!



Cafe in Shinjuku… a place where MoonFlower has ever been to.
NOT me. It was my 1st visit… absolutely.



LOOK!
They were FANTASTIC ones for me. Made me full quite easily.
Apple sauce was perfect match.



World's Fountain Pen Show in Nihonbashi.
NO purchase made, though.



What we picked from shopping was this coaster.
Pretty cool.



This wine… was VERY SWEET. Made me feel like drinking sweet wine.
However, interesting enough… this came along with Japanese food as supper tonight.





Then pasta.



Sweet is home made by MoonFlower. WONDERFUL stuff.
Made me totally full… all day long. Hahaha.

Movie - "Flight." It was my pick today.
Denzel was quite actor… but unfortunately, the story wasn't that complex.
Rather, it was quite simple.

Half way, I could see the rest of story… particularly ending.
It must be based upon true story.
Very human.

Just wondering it was DELTA pilot in real story??? Must be.

Dinner took place in the middle of town.
French bistro - the restaurant. However, found it the fusion food served.





Good salad. Liked it.



Chinese?



Then Japanese?



I thought that it was pork… but fish.



Finished with pizza.
Interesting choices tonight.

Good company, too. Fun night.

Middle day of three-day extended weekend… decided to go out today…
Didn't have any particular purpose. Though, MoonFlower and I ended up in Nakano.
Nakano is located the other side of Tokyo. Took us about whole hour to get there.



On the way to Nakano Broadway - shopping mall complex.
Tons of people walking by in the arcade. Typical Nakano.



"Maid Cafe" ad found… not rare in this area.
Lots of interesting place like restaurants and shops.
You can find so many "unusual" stuff on the showcase. Hehehe.



This is TV drama script for sale. What kind of people would come out to buy those??? Hahaha.
It was fun "window shopping" for sure.
I do come out like once every half year or so. Fun to watch and check things out.

Sure, it was another fun day today.
Then, we both went down to usual restaurant for supper.
Place called Aida.





Very Japanese dish with Sake tonight!









YAKITORI!!!





Too much good stuff for us. Over eating. Hahaha.
I know, New Year is over! Will get back to normal pace of our usual life soon.