Thinking Loudly
Every posting is one piece among thousands pieces in this complicated yet interesting puzzle game called: LIFE
"Do you know how to operate this?" She asked me after five minutes attempt to get the machine started didn’t result any progress.
"Me? Well….no… but it looks like a Windows screen, you seem need to key in your password." I said a bit surprised as the cashier asked me, the customer, how to operate her credit card machine.
The machine looks like a new one, with wide screen, presumably operate by the Microsoft observing from the screen style. The young part-timer girl whose role both as Waiter and Cashier (and she was the only one in the restaurant other than the Cook in the kitchen) looked so confused. Me, the customer, been waiting standing for almost seven minutes by now. Should not let the customer who ready to pay wait that long.
It was lunch time. A quick one for me after my prolonged meeting (that office cafeteria closed already), before I need to run to my next one. People rarely pay lunch by card giving the fact that lunch rarely cost a steep price. Most of lunch set cost around half of the dinner. Cash is common. But that day, rarely occurrence, my cash was zip, I just forgot to stop by the ATM. I got to pay the only 1200 yen bill by card. The machine just turned on when I handed her the card.
" The password? Where to key in?" She still confused and started to open her small note book listed of password.
" Maybe this one…. oh I am afraid to make mistake…. can you help?" She asked me with the nervous look.
I feel a bit awkward, but it is now ten minutes and a waste of my time. So I stepped in to the other side of the Cashier counter and tell her how to key in the password.
The system looked running now, it said we need to wait.
" Oh thank you, I am really bad in computer. Thanks to you… would you mine to wait a bit as this machine may want me to key in something else ?"
Suddenly, a group of customers enter the restaurant. She need to assist them with the table and take the order. In a second split, she ran to handle them, leaving me alone.
I was standing at the Cashier side. In front of me were the credit card machine and a cash register with the drawer opened as she keyed-in the amount I need to pay, but still wait the card machine to progress to close the drawer.
In the cash drawer was stack of money, ten thousands, five thousands, one thousand yen bills… coins….full income from the lunch batch that day.
I was amazed by the situation. How careless she is. I am the customer. I am left alone in front of the open money drawer!
Thank God I have no interest to commit a crime. Otherwise it is all in front of me…
Thank God I am not her manager. Otherwise she is a history…
Some minutes lapsed and the machine seems working now (after me guided her to hit some "Enter" button).
Transaction done.
I still amazed.
No, friends. Not like what you said in your mails.
With Yen handsomely climbing up to its stronger position ever in over twelve years against Dollar (this morning 1$=96.4 yen !!!), that doesn’t give my personal benefit. Perhaps for some other people.
But, I earn Yen, I spend Yen. I am living here in Japan, don’t you remember?
Call me left behind economist but I don’t cross border my Yen for investment. I don’t play forex. I have some USD saving but the purpose is really for saving, the rainy days, not profiting.
And guess what now, the value reducing.
Like you too all over the world, I have to oversee my home cash flow, balance sheet which trembled by the crazy economic turmoil.
Never ending increase of dollar per barrel (it nearly touched $111/barrel !!!) which make our cars seems never getting along with the wallets. I still remember it was 102yen/litter two years ago, now 145yen if you lucky to get a gas station with an offer. The quietly reduce packaging size of sugar (and all daily necessary) from 1kg to 900gr to maintain the same price. News just announced that air ticket will increase the price by about 15% from April (again!)l. Even the subsidized cafeteria at office increased all their lunch meal price by 14%.
I might get a bit relief by living in Japan. As the Made-In-China product keep on flowing and their price can be half than domestic product. By the "managed" inflation rate in Japan which 2% consider too high.
But still, like you, like everybody else in this downfall economic earth, I have to be money wise. Be frugal.
If you brought-up in country like Indonesia, most probably you have had choose any of this profession: doctor, pilot, engineer/scientist, president, teacher.
Yesterday I received Raisa’s school final bulletin magazine for this term.
Page 1 and 2 dedicated for the first grader where each child wrote down in their own handwriting of what they want to be when they grow up.
From 105 first grader this year, here is the rank:
1. Cake shop Attendant - 19 children
2. Bakery/Bread shop Attendant - 12 children
3. Professional Soccer Player - 6 children
4. Pet shop attendant - 5 children
5. Nurse - 4 children
6. Comic book writer - 4 children
The list goes on, naming all type of profession from Ice Cream Seller, Idol, Common grown-up (futsu no otona), Housewife, Ski Instructor, Professional Baseball Player, Ballerina, Lemon Seller, Swimming Coach, Musician, etc.
How about the (so-called) popular profession?
Pilot - 1 child
Lawyer - 1 child
Doctor - none
Engineer - none
Scientist - none
President/Prime Minister - none
Culture difference? Expectation difference?
Oh no, I don’t get tips to write this. I’m just a happy customer.
Terminal 3 is just perfect. Officers and attendants with smile on the faces. Architectural design give you the feeling of big modern open space. The interior design give you relax yet elegant atmosphere, cool, friendly, green (I observed closely to the palm trees and amazed to find out they are real tress!), water and art. Enough number and space to sit in multiple funky yet cozy sofas. You can just relax and lay down on those many fully reclined ergonomically comfort seats in front of the jungles green interior, or virtually stroll the world by the free-service internet. You can shop till drop in long list of shop not only the high-end of brands which is common for international airports, but also from all level of the suppliers. Price is compete-able with city stores, some even better without the GST (or the hassle to get the GST refunded). You can fulfill your appetite from the long list of restaurant, fine class or adventurous food stall on the third floor or just hand out at some bars, which include pool tables and games..
I didn’t try the shower and spa offer, as apparently five hours is not enough to do that giving the many thing to do or to enjoy in the terminal, but they are available and I wonder they look and feel the same as a real spa cause even the transit area itself already feel like a spa resort.
Having a family with small kids (even they were not with me this time) my eyes always search the facility for kids (which is available and I can say better than most of the airport I ever visited) and the safety for kids (carpeted but clean floor, no dangerous object like unattended pond without barrier, etc.)
One of the point nowadays travellers like-it-or-not have to face before depart is the security long lines. In Changi, they managed to do it quick, thorough (without ask you to open the shoes unlike in any airport in the US which require you to barefoot no matter what), professional yet didn’t give the sense that you are a possible treat to the society. Which give you a good feeling, specially when you are away from home and loved ones.
If there is something to be improved, I would say, a faster speed of the internet access, please. But oh well, it’s free!
Singapore is definitely a top smart player to compete the race of transit hub in the region.
http://www.changiairport.com/t3/
This part of parenting, I never ready. (together with this one)
Hard for me to believe (even I know this is rather nothing unusual), not only in the middle of deep village in third world country, but here in Tokyo, we may receive the same unwanted guest, the Head Lice.
I thought hubby only exaggerate things when he checked on Raisa’s head after she complained that her scalp itched, he mentioned it could be lice.
I am a cosmo career Mommy, I can handle complex customer deal, but head lice? Help!
And, we are living in a new build condo where cleanliness and hygiene is not only personal matter, but the whole building rule. Lice or pest is the last thing I ever expect.
But I just red now that having head lice is not a sign of uncleanliness or poor hygiene. The pesky little bugs can be a problem for kids of all ages and socioeconomic levels, no matter how often they do - or don’t - clean their hair or bathe.
Nevertheless, I was shock. More than the surprise attack the lice family received when I pour the medicine on Raisa’s head. Two fat lice fell off, I almost fainted to see them…
I cut Raisa’s hair short. Hubby shaved Ken’s head until almost bald for prevention. Turned down the bed sheet. Turned down all the towel. Vacuumed the carpet.
The real victim is Raisa. Not only itchy head, but it is difficult for her to accept that she got the bugs on her head. For a girly, princessy, appearance-and-health-conscious person, this is a hard hit (even the haircut alone already a big deal, she always wanted long hair).
That plus, for the next four days she has to face this without Mommy who had to go on a trip down south.
Oh…..
Yesterday was the day we made up with kids for that many busy days. So schedule was tailor made to fulfill the little people’s demand.
First, Raisa wanted to see the Twist Balloon exhibition as she got the brochure from her school. Twist balloon has been one of her top interest lately that I was thinking that she wanted to be a balloon twister when she grew up, no longer want to be a teacher or any other profession which change every some months (and I was slightly let that imagination play around after saw in television some weeks ago that the juggler twisting balloon in costume at the corner of the street, was in average earn 500,000 yen per month from the coins they collected in the up-side-down hat after the show - that is almost 5000 USD!)
It was really like a dream world. A huge hall decorated all with all type of colorful balloons. Twisted, shaped to any imaginable things. There are even some balloon kimono you can try to wear on. Children can also get a small course how to twisted some basic shape and bring home some balloon goody. Raisa eyes sparkled. A real heaven for seven years old.
Then, a stop at a thrift toys shop to choose one toy as you like. Ken got his Tomica Car Parking portable for his car toys collection, used but like new, at 30% of the market price . Raisa got a do-it-your-self Little Twin Stars muffler knitter, new but half price of the market. Both kids had a big smiling face.
Next stop, was actually a surprise treat for Raisa.
She’s been asking us countless of time about caravan and home mobile lately. She just saw in TV and sometime on the street, and since then, her curiosity kicked-in. How the caravan looks like inside? What kind of kitchen it has? How do you sleep in it? How you get the water for the toilet inside the caravan? Do you have microwave inside it? Any heater for the cold days? How many people can sleep in? The list never ends.
Dear husband decided to play "going caravan shopping game", we went to two caravan/camping-car show room & dealers and acted as a very prospective customer. So there we were,for hours in and out different types of caravan, big and small, the build-in type and the pull-over type. Checked the gadget and facility, amazed to see the compact doesn’t compromise the elegance and comfort. Laid on the bed, saw the shower and toilet, learned how the water, gas, electric system run inside, received different kind of offer and discount, and a bunch of brochure to help us decide which model we will decide to purchase.
Raisa and Ken had a blast. But not only them, me and hubby were enjoying too. In fact, I got to pull him out before the salesman succeeded to persuade him to end the drama and buy one!
Day was ended by a treat of ice cream. Double scoop in waffle cone for each of us.
It was great. Abundance fun, cheap price. The balloon and the caravan was free, rather we got some goodies! Really good as alternative to another free activities (like park) which not an option in these cold winter days.
Yesterday was the day we made up with kids for that many busy days. So schedule was tailor made to fulfill the little people’s demand.
First, Raisa wanted to see the Twist Balloon exhibition as she got the brochure from her school. Twist balloon has been one of her top interest lately that I was thinking that she wanted to be a balloon twister when she grew up, no longer want to be a teacher or any other profession which change every some months (and I was slightly let that imagination play around after saw in television some weeks ago that the juggler twisting balloon in costume at the corner of the street, was in average earn 500,000 yen per month from the coins they collected in the up-side-down hat after the show - that is almost 5000 USD!)
It was really like a dream world. A huge hall decorated all with all type of colorful balloons. Twisted, shaped to any imaginable things. There are even some balloon kimono you can try to wear on. Children can also get a small course how to twisted some basic shape and bring home some balloon goody. Raisa eyes sparkled. A real heaven for seven years old.
Then, a stop at a thrift toys shop to choose one toy as you like. Ken got his Tomica Car Parking portable for his car toys collection, used but like new, at 30% of the market price . Raisa got a do-it-your-self Little Twin Stars muffler knitter, new but half price of the market. Both kids had a big smiling face.
Next stop, was actually a surprise treat for Raisa.
She’s been asking us countless of time about caravan and home mobile lately. She just saw in TV and sometime on the street, and since then, her curiosity kicked-in. How the caravan looks like inside? What kind of kitchen it has? How do you sleep in it? How you get the water for the toilet inside the caravan? Do you have microwave inside it? Any heater for the cold days? How many people can sleep in? The list never ends.
Dear husband decided to play "going caravan shopping game", we went to two caravan/camping-car show room & dealers and acted as a very prospective customer. So there we were,for hours in and out different types of caravan, big and small, the build-in type and the pull-over type. Checked the gadget and facility, amazed to see the compact doesn’t compromise the elegance and comfort. Laid on the bed, saw the shower and toilet, learned how the water, gas, electric system run inside, received different kind of offer and discount, and a bunch of brochure to help us decide which model we will decide to purchase.
Raisa and Ken had a blast. But not only them, me and hubby were enjoying too. In fact, I got to pull him out before the salesman succeeded to persuade him to end the drama and buy one!
Day was ended by a treat of ice cream. Double scoop in waffle cone for each of us.
It was great. Abundance fun, cheap price. The balloon and the caravan was free, rather we got some goodies! Really good as alternative to another free activities (like park) which not an option in these cold winter days.
Yesterday was the day we made up with kids for that many busy days. So schedule was tailor made to fulfill the little people’s demand.
First, Raisa wanted to see the Twist Balloon exhibition as she got the brochure from her school. Twist balloon has been one of her top interest lately that I was thinking that she wanted to be a balloon twister when she grew up, no longer want to be a teacher or any other profession which change every some months (and I was slightly let that imagination play around after saw in television some weeks ago that the juggler twisting balloon in costume at the corner of the street, was in average earn 500,000 yen per month from the coins they collected in the up-side-down hat after the show - that is almost 5000 USD!)
It was really like a dream world. A huge hall decorated all with all type of colorful balloons. Twisted, shaped to any imaginable things. There are even some balloon kimono you can try to wear on. Children can also get a small course how to twisted some basic shape and bring home some balloon goody. Raisa eyes sparkled. A real heaven for seven years old.
Then, a stop at a thrift toys shop to choose one toy as you like. Ken got his Tomica Car Parking portable for his car toys collection, used but like new, at 30% of the market price . Raisa got a do-it-your-self Little Twin Stars muffler knitter, new but half price of the market. Both kids had a big smiling face.
Next stop, was actually a surprise treat for Raisa.
She’s been asking us countless of time about caravan and home mobile lately. She just saw in TV and sometime on the street, and since then, her curiosity kicked-in. How the caravan looks like inside? What kind of kitchen it has? How do you sleep in it? How you get the water for the toilet inside the caravan? Do you have microwave inside it? Any heater for the cold days? How many people can sleep in? The list never ends.
Dear husband decided to play "going caravan shopping game", we went to two caravan/camping-car show room & dealers and acted as a very prospective customer. So there we were,for hours in and out different types of caravan, big and small, the build-in type and the pull-over type. Checked the gadget and facility, amazed to see the compact doesn’t compromise the elegance and comfort. Laid on the bed, saw the shower and toilet, learned how the water, gas, electric system run inside, received different kind of offer and discount, and a bunch of brochure to help us decide which model we will decide to purchase.
Raisa and Ken had a blast. But not only them, me and hubby were enjoying too. In fact, I got to pull him out before the salesman succeeded to persuade him to end the drama and buy one!
Day was ended by a treat of ice cream. Double scoop in waffle cone for each of us.
It was great. Abundance fun, cheap price. The balloon and the caravan was free, rather we got some goodies! Really good as alternative to another free activities (like park) which not an option in these cold winter days.
