
Today was my 36th birthday and already from the morning we had plans. Takako’s mom and a friend had an appointment with Noriko (Takako’s friend who is a chiropractor) so we all went to Aizu Wakamatsu, to Noriko’s place where we arrived around 10:00. Bunta (their cute dog) was there, guarding the house. But today, because of the nice weather, he had fallen asleep on a sunny spot in front of the house and didn’t notice when we arrived. What a watchdog!
After saying hello to Noriko and letting off Taiko and Fumiyo-san, Takako and I took Junya out for a nice walk around the castle, Tsurugajo. The weather was perfect! 20 degrees and clear skies! The first plum blossoms had started showing and the area was nice and quiet. Junya enjoyed it too but fell asleep halfway during the walk.


Actually we had hoped to be able to bring the new buggy (barnevogn) that we had ordered for him, but we were told it wouldn’t arrive until Saturday. So instead we brought the old one, but it was a bit hard to push around on the gravel that surrounds the castle. By the way, the new buggy is an AirBuggy a vsery smart, 3-wheeled type of vehicle with large wheels that makes it easy to use on all kinds of surfaces and even makes it easy to walk up small stairs. We bought it from the money we received from prime minister Aso, a fixed amount of money given to all individuals in Japan in an effort to increase consumption in a time where the GDP is the lowest in 35 years.
After a pleasant walk around the castle, we went back to Noriko’s place and picked up the Taiko and Fumiyo-san and drove them to the station. They were going to have lunch at the restaurant Pivot and then do some shopping. Takako and I drove to another place called Milky Way, a family restaurant with a big sign on the top of the roof that reminds me of the once so popular burger and milk shake bars from the 80′es.
I ordered a 200g garlic steak with french fries and it tasted absolutely wonderful. The best steak I have had in a long time! And the fries were crispy and everything was very hot. Mmmm! Takako also had a small cut steak and a gratin. We ordered salad bar and Junya got a little toy airplane.
After picking up Takako’s mom and saying goodbye to her friend who was going somewhere else, we went to the department store Saty to see if there was something interesting for sale. They are closing up so everything was sold at a discount. On the way back we bought a world map for Takako’s dad. He is always very interested in geography, but doesn’t have a proper map, so I bought this as a small preseclnt for him. We also picked up a cake and some melon pan buns for breakfast.
When we came home I took a nap (almost 2 hours!) and when I woke up the house was full of guests! It was Takako’s brother and his family (Keiko, Yuuta, Taichi and Ichika) and as always everyone were running around, talking, screaming, watching tv, cooking, eating, not eating, joking, playing, teasing eachother etc. etc. The usual chaotic hygge.
There were two birthday cards: One from Anita and Gert in the usual refined style with a Japanese motive with cows and the text, in Japanese: “Tomorrow your dreams will grow”! The other card was also a homemade card, but from Takako and Junya! Hilarious, with funny computer manipulated images: One of Junya and me on a billboard somewhere in Japan, and one with Andy Warhol style paintings of me and Junya hanging in a gallery with spectators walking by! There were also several normal photos of me and Junya together and in the end a handwritten “Vi elsker dig - fra Junya and Takako” in perfect Danish!! THANK YOU!!! *sniff*
On the table was three big plates of sushi and hors d’œuvre (オードブル) which was exactly what I had hoped for! It was so good and I ate a lot! For desert there was a special birthday cake with my name on it. It says “Happy Birthday Tori-chan”, Tori of cause is my Japanese name.
Katsuhiro had bought a present for me: Two nice forms for baking cakes and some small forms for making cookies in the shape of Winnie the Pooh and his friend Piglet. Thank you! I must reciprocate with a homemade cake sometime soon!

Junya was at that time quite tired but after Takako put him in the BabyBjoern he managed to sleep a little. I played with Yuuta and then the party was over and it was time for Junya’s bath. His evening snack today was his favourite strawberry milk, with fresh strawberries that we bought today. After drinking 60ml of milk he was still hungry so I gave him an extra whole strawberry to chew on. That is, I hold the strawberry and mash it with my fingers while he sucks up the strawberry mash.
Thank you everyone for a perfect birthday!!