Every year, the company I work for gives us a few paid holidays to use anytime between July and September. Last year, I explored the beautiful cities of Sapporo and Otaru, but this year, I decided to stay closer to home in Yokohama. I knew I needed to balance relaxation with, unfortunately, a little work, so I wanted to be flexible and not over-commit myself.

I had just three solid plans this year, and the rest of the time I honestly spent enjoying the air conditioning at home. Yesterday was the second of my planned activities, and it was so much fun because we did an off-the-beaten-path date activity that I’d never done before in Japan—we made our own original scent in the form of perfume or room spray/incense!

I've always seen cute date ideas in Japan on TikTok and Instagram, but I’d never done anything structured like this before. I was super excited, especially because I've really gotten into perfumes and fragrances over the past few years. I was completely on board!

We booked at Gluck Yokohama, which is just a few minutes’ walk from Ishikawacho Station on the JR Negishi Line or a short stroll from the heart of Chinatown. It’s located in an office building, so a bit tricky to find if you miss the sign outside. The interior is tiny, so reservations are definitely a must.

As soon as we arrived, we were seated and given an overview of the experience. The host was really thoughtful, even turning on a fan for us because it was so hot. He explained everything clearly, despite not speaking any English, and made the process super easy to follow.

We both opted to create a room spray. We could choose from 12 different scents and combine up to three to create our own original fragrance. It was a bit overwhelming at first, smelling all the scents, but there was an explanation sheet with the top, mid, and base notes of each one. The host reassured us that you really can’t go wrong with any combination because all the scents complement each other. That was such a relief—I was nervous that I’d love three scents individually but hate them together!

Once you choose your three favorite scents, you start by combining two drops of each in a beaker to form your base scent. From there, you can add drops up to a total of 80. There’s a cheat sheet for the best ratios, but I loved all the scents I chose equally. I went for an herbal scent, a green tea and pear scent, and something sunlight-related that I’ve since forgotten—but I can only describe my final scent as a foresty blend with a hint of flowers and sunlight. I have no idea, but I just love it to death!

After combining your three scents into 80 drops (and there’s a handy sheet to track how much of each you’ve added), it’s time to mix in the ethanol, little by little, until you reach 50 ml. The scent does change slightly, but not drastically, which was a relief.

Next came the coloring! They give you three primary colors (red, yellow, blue), and you can mix them to create your own unique shade. There’s also a cheat sheet for making different colors. I wanted a foresty green, so I mixed all three colors together. It was so much fun—honestly, I felt like a scientist!

After that, you use a magnetic spinner to mix everything completely together. Then, you funnel it into a bottle, give it a try, and finally label and name it! I called mine "Forest Sun." They even have a cute photoshoot spot to take pictures of your finished product!

It was such a fun experience, and I LOVE my scent. I’m going to be so sad when it’s all gone! The price was 5,000 yen, which I think is totally worth it for the experience, but I kind of wish I could just order a refill of my scent for 3,000 yen without going through the whole process again. Still, if I make new friends, I’d totally invite them for this. It’s such a cute date or even a girls’ day activity!

The whole thing took about an hour, and since we were so close to Chinatown, we grabbed some delicious tea at a nearby café before heading to Hammerhead for dinner and dessert. 

It was so romantic and healing, and I really want to explore the Hammerhead area more—it felt so picturesque for Yokohama! So, look forward to an upcoming post on that!

All in all, it was a refreshing mid-vacation activity, and I can’t wait to clean my apartment and spray my new room spray everywhere!

GLUCK YOKOHAMA

ROUROU CAFE

QUAY'S PACIFIC GRILL

VANILLABEANS THE ROASTERY

I can't believe it's already July! I planned to update in June, but the month turned out to be unexpectedly busy with closing old doors and starting new ventures. For the past 15 years, I've avoided a certain career path. While I've always been interested in the field, worked alongside professionals in that area, and even earned a certificate for it, I never really wanted to pursue the role. My preference was for something more creative and free.

Recently, I found myself in a situation where I was asked to take on that role. Although it's currently temporary, I have to approach it as if it's permanent. Surprisingly, I don't mind it as much as I thought I would. In fact, it has helped me regain a sense of productivity, and I feel healthily challenged each day. I enjoy learning new things and trying techniques and strategies I haven't used in a long time.

In short, I'm enjoying this new experience for now. However, it has been overwhelming because I have many incomplete and ongoing projects in my other role. Essentially, I'm juggling two roles, which means coming home and working to keep up.

There's not much free time, and I'm constantly thinking about how to adjust to this new role and stay ahead. It's exciting but also draining!

Last weekend, on Tanabata, I took a morning trip to my favorite spot, Yuigahama beach in Kamakura. I love going there around 6:00 and just watching the waves, surfers, and dog walkers while eating snacks. I tend to FaceTime my family, and we all have a good time. It is one of my favorite things to do, and it refreshed my mind and heart a bit. I tend to head back around 9:00 before the people rush. 

This time, I mainly went for research for work, but after collecting some samples and stuff, I read a book and just wanted to take a nap! Recently, my weekends have been packed because that is the only time I can be social, meet people, catch up, and spend time with my daughter. However, it was really nice to take that time for myself!

Hopefully, I will update again soon

Hello Everyone! Its been a while since my last post because I decided to go back in the office and I am also back in Japanese language school. Fortunately, Golden Week, is right around the corner, so I hopefully will have more time to make content when I can catch up on sleep.

BACK TO THE OFFICE

For the past six months, I was working from home and it was driving me crazy. I worked throughout the night, and while it would seem that I'd have the luxury of having the day to myself, I actually needed to be sleeping, but I never did because...you know...banking hours, ward office tasks, laundry, hanging with friends, all of those things need to be done during the day. So, I was literally running on 4 hrs. of sleep. I don't know how Americans living in Japan actually function working on American time.

So, on April 1st, I made the decision to go back to in person, and it's alright. It's nice getting my work done without being sleep deprived. It does suck a little because I miss to have the flexibility to enjoy the nice weather whenever I feel like it, but fortunately, I have the flexibility to revert back if I find it too stifling. Until then though, I'm back on JST!

ANDROID TO APPLE

I'm slowing upgrading my electronics! Now that I am back in school and commuting again, I decided to invest in an iPad! It's my very first tablet, and I spent like 6 hours trying to customize it and make it all aesthetic looking. I am still getting used to the Apple universe, but I am enjoying my iPad so far. I think I am going to invest in an Apple pencil soon so I can practice writing kanji!

My sister also gifted me with airpods, so no more wired headphones. I am still not use to charging them, and am completely beside myself when they die, but they are pretty cool. I am also looking into upgrading my cellphone too. I wish Samsung was readily available here, as I miss my Samsung, but I may upgrade to an Apple phone just because I want the flexibility of infinite cute cases and accessories.

TAXES

I finally filed my US taxes. This is my fourth tax season in Japan, and I still act brand new every time it is time to file. It's so complicated because of the foreign income and foreign address. Fortunately, I found a tax software where that is not a problem, at least for filing for Federal taxes. State taxes are a bit more complicated because of the payment method. I can only pay with a credit card with an American address or a US Paypal. I don't have my US debit card with them, as the new one was sent to my mom's house, but fortunately I still have a US Paypal.

Next year will be a bit problematic because I'll have both U.S. and Japanese income, so I should probably start much earlier. My advice to other American's in Japan is try to keep at least one U.S. address, have someone whose phone number you can borrow, and also don't close your bank accounts!

FORTUNE

I went to Meiji Jingu Shrine a few weeks ago, and I was able to get my fortune for the year. This year, I got: 

かりそめのことは　思はでくらすこそ　世にながらへむ薬なるらめ

Managing to live without becoming concerned with trivial things seems in terms of living long to be the best medicine.

I think this "fortune" comes at the perfect time because there's so many big picture things going on right now in my life that I should focus on instead of nit-picking about the small things. So, I am going to hang this where I can see it everyday and try to remember to keep my eye on the long-term, big picture, goals!

NEXT PRACTICAL GOAL？

I am thinking of getting my driver's license in Japan! I had completely ruled it out due to hearing all the horror stories and the convenience of the trains, but I have found myself wanting to go for a drive more and more. I heard it's really difficult getting a Japanese driver's license, especially for me who has to get it from scratch since there's no agreement with my home state for a practical driving exam exemption (T.T). However, I really miss blasting my music and driving around a 2 A.M. daydreaming of going to far off places. Also, it'd be nice to be able to rent one in a pinch. Well, anyway, it won't happen this year because I still need to change my name on U.S. driver's license, but after that, I honestly think I am going to go for it!

One of the first items you receive at the airport when immigrating (three months or longer) to Japan is a residence card, also called a 在留カード (Zairyuu Card). This residence card is one of the most important forms of ID that foreigners need in Japan, and you are required to have it on you at all times.

The residence card is equipped with an IC chip for security purposes, and the exterior of the card has all of the holder's personal information, such as name, birthdate, address, and most importantly your residence status, work restrictions, and the expiration date of the card.

If there are ever changes to your personal information, such as your address because of moving, or your name due to marriage, then you need to have these changes reflected on your residence card. If you quit your job or obtain a job that requires you to change your visa or residence status then you also need to notify immigration.

In times of moving, you will need to go to your city hall within 14 days of moving, and the city hall will notify immigration, and print your new address on the back of the card.

In times of a name change, you will need to go to immigration within 14 days of receiving your new passport or name change documents, and immigration will print you a new card.

When quitting your job, and then also when starting a new job, you need to notify immigration either through writing or electronically within 14 days. I will provide a link to the electronic notification website at the end of this post.

When you obtain a new job that will require you to change your residence status (For example, Instructor to Engineer/Specialist in Humanities), or say you are a student and you want permission to work, all of this is done through immigration, and any changes need to be reflected clearly on your card. There are a lot of different scenarios for changing one's residence status, and I cannot touch on them all in this post, so I'll link the immigration website and different kinds of residence types at the end of this post. 

When you eventually decide to leave Japan permanently as a resident, you are also required to return the card when exiting Japan at the airport.

This is all to say that your residence card is extremely important, and you are liable for a police officer to ask you to show them your residence card at any given time. It is not something that you can refuse to comply with, and you can be fined (up to 20,000 yen (1565.47 USD) ) for not having your card on you.

But life happens right, sometimes you lose your card... Like myself... Well, do not panic! Down below, I list your options for recovering your card!

Fortunately, if you've lost your card, at least you've lost it in a country that has a procedure for almost anything, and there's also a high chance of your lost item being turned in! Woo!

Officially, when you lose your residence card (or it was stolen), your first plan of action should be to go to your nearest police box (koban) or police department and submit a Lost Item Report (紛失届). If you live in Kanagawa Prefecture, you can do the procedure online. However, since you will also need to obtain a Receipt or Certificate of Lost/Stolen/Damaged Item Report (遺失届出証明書・盗難届出証明書・り災証明書), you'll need to physically go in for this. (If you lose a train fare card or anything else that doesn't require immediate replacing by the authorities, by all means, use the online system!)

Once you receive the certificate from the police, you'll then have 14 days to go to immigration and apply for the issuance of a new card.

What you'll need to get a new card are as follows:

• Residence Card Reissue Application (here)
• Photo
• Lost/Stolen/Damage report certificate (from the police)
• Passport (Just to show)

If you know exactly where you've lost your card, say in a taxi or on a train, you should check with those companies first. When I lost my bag on the train, I contacted the train station lost and found and they actually identified my bag within a few hours! No need to go through the hassle of making an official police report and taking a trip (and a day off of work) to go to your nearest immigration office.

If it has been a few days before you finally realize you've lost your residence card, you should check the lost and found of the police department. If you live in Kanagawa, you can search the lost and found online! Unfortunately, there is a bit of a delay in updating the system, but can search through a plethora of categories, and maybe your residence card will show up and where to find it!

As for myself, I am extremely busy with getting acclimated to school and also my new routine with raising my daughter so it was at least a week before I noticed my residence card was missing. Yup, just my residence card, not anything else.

It was Golden Week, and the only time I went out was to the park, and I had my residence card in my phone case (don't put any cards in your phone case btw), like the secret cash part that you can't see. I had taken a lot of pictures that day of flowers with my phone, but I was also busy with my toddler, so it probably slipped out and I didn't even notice.

I didn't even know my residence card was missing until I was leaving the house for school on Monday morning and I checked my case because my train fare cards are in there. Since I had a bus to catch, an exam to take, and I had never been asked to show my residence card to a police officer in the four years I've lived in Japan, I took the risk of going to school first (don't copy me. I don't recommend anyone do this).

I figured that maybe my residence card was in the house somewhere because my daughter sometimes gets into my bag, wallet, or phone case. So, I decided to look for it when I got home. Well, I looked high and low for two days. I also checked the online lost and found, and no luck.

I finally resigned myself to going to the police box across the street from my apartment on Friday, but before that, I got a letter in the mail from the police stating that they found my card, and where to pick it up! Yay!

In order to pick up my card, I needed to go to the police station where my item was housed. You can find that information highlighted in the letter you receive.

Once I got to the police station (If you lose your item in Yokohama, Nishi Ward (For example, Minato Mirai or Yokohama Station) your items will most likely be held at the Tobe Police station.), I went to the lost and found counter which is on the second floor, and handed over the letter I received. 

The lady at the counter asked for ID to confirm my address, and I also gave my passport as an additional ID. I then only had to wait about 3 minutes, and she came back and asked me to confirm if this was the item. I said yes, and then I only had to sign a paper (name, address, date, and phone number) stating that I received my items and that was it! 

If you lost your items in say Kyoto on a trip, but you are now back in Tokyo. You may be able to have the items sent to you without you actually needing to go back to Kyoto. In that case, you'll probably have to make a call. I've never done that procedure, but when I did lose my pasmo card on a trip to Tokyo, the police officer called and asked if I wanted it sent to my home in Yokohama. You will have to fill out a form 物件送付依頼書, and pay for the shipping, and that will most likely be cash on demand.

I feel like I got really lucky this time, and am really grateful that once again, my items were found, safe, and sound. So, I hope this post will help you find your missing items or be able to solve the situation with a bit of ease!

Any other tips on what to do if you lost an item in Japan? Leave them in the comments below!

Resources

List of Procedures Related to Residence Status

Kanagawa Online Lost and Found Search System

Application of Reissuance of Residence Card (PDF)

Application of Reissuance of Residence Card Requirements (ENG)

Lost and Found Form TOKYO  (fill it in and take it with you)

Lost and Found Form KANAGAWA (Fill it in a take it with you)

Lost Property Report KANAGAWA ONLINE

Hello Everyone! I interrupt your normal programming of baby entries for a rare personal entry about me. Moving to Japan seemed like another dream come true, a chance to expand my horizons literally and figuratively, an opportunity to explore new lands, cultures, and people, and also find myself.

Little did I know that I would not only stray far from home, but I would totally lose myself. The culture and language barrier, the loneliness and isolation, the life changing events of having a baby and getting married, the uncertainty about my future due to visa restrictions and a pandemic. The culmination of all that occurring in a short span of two years caused me to completely lose sight of who I was and prevented me from becoming who I wanted to be. 

Living for two years in survival mode caused me to flip inside out. I tolerated toxicity because I was lonely, settled for less because I was afraid of change in a foreign land, constantly doubting myself because I was in a foreign country and not fluent in the language, and I found myself two years into being in Japan, unable to recognize the women in the mirror, and not in a good way.

Instead of growing spiritually, being fulfilled, healthy, and grateful, I had grown into an unhappy, self-doubting, low self-esteem, zero motivation shell of a human being, and thankfully it made me SICK TO MY STOMACH. The lack of self was literally making me physically ill, where I couldn't sleep, my stomach hurt and I was having aches and pains in places I've never had them before. And that is when I knew I had to change. 

Fortunately, my pioneer spirit, the spirit that brought me over 3000 miles away from home never left me, and my new drive to be a good role model for my daughter had me sitting down at 2AM in the morning reassessing myself, my values, and my future. 

And it was painful, and I wanted to deny everything and blame everyone else for putting me through so much hardship, but it is always darkest before dawn, and I was willing to embrace that darkness in order to appreciate the light. It's necessary growth, and maturity to be able to take responsibility for your life and choices, and situation, even if it isn't your fault. And taking that responsibility hurts at first but then comes sweet relief knowing you have the choice and power to change how things end.

I spent weeks reading books about values, purposes, personality, and I realized that I lost my internal compass. Who am I? Where am I? Who do I want to be? What did I value? Why did every decision I make seem so hard? Why did I care so much about the opinion of others? Why did I suddenly have the motivation to do something and then lose it just as fast? And the most important question of them all...

What message am I/will I be sending to my daughter. And not knowing that question broke me.

And that's what forced me to reign in my lost soul and cleanse it of all the toxicity, heavy guilt, and crushing instability and I wrote downand redefined four of my core values. I pulled them from the depth of my heart and made a concrete and clear decision to live by these principles for the rest of my life. And no, I did not pull these values out of hat or copy them from my favorite self-help guru. These values were the values that were formed when I was a little girl, the values that were made by my most pure being, but over the years and decades, they ended up being challenged, deformed, and discarded in the rat race of today's society. 

But, at the age of 32, I am proud to have my compass back, and I am proud to have made the first step to becoming the Angela that I envisioned myself being. The Angela that I can show up for and can answer to anyone. 

So, please read my values here, and join me on this journey back to our true selves in future blog posts!