• Travel

    2023 US Passport Wait Times

    September 22, 2023 - By 

    In 2023, three members of my family had to get our US passports. The news claimed that passports were taking much longer than usual because of renewed interest in travel post-pandemic. The official website https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html let us know that there were indeed longer processing times: For my family, the time to receive the new passport from mail-in date ranged from 3 weeks (Tremendously quick, considering it was normal service!) to 11 weeks. The one that took 11 weeks of wait time was the last one, so we were getting a bit concerned given the others were so quick! Renewal of…

  • Travel

    How to Make Pokémon Cafe Osaka Reservations – Japan

    September 21, 2023 - By 

    There are two Pokémon Cafes in Japan: Tokyo and Osaka. They are extremely popular to the point that it is difficult, though quite possible, to get reservations. Pokémon Cafe is known more for the decor and getting to eat curry out of a snorlax’s tummy than it is for the quality of the food. In fact, I have heard rather negative reviews with regards to actual food quality here. Food presentation, on the other hand, is rated high. However, for another incentive, there is “Special” Pokémon merchandise (limit of 3) that can only be purchased during the reservation. In 2023,…

  • Tea Things

    Lavender

    May 7, 2023 - By 

    Lavender, or lavendula, is a versatile and fragrant member of the mint family that has been used for centuries in various medicinal, and culinary applications— including, of course, tea. Back in Roman times, it was highly prized and quite expensive, as in one month’s wages for one pound. Today, it is not quite so expensive, which is why it is accessible to everyone as lavender honey, lavender-scented water, lavender icing for lavender cupcakes, etc. Flavor Profile: Delicate, floral. Tea Uses for Lavender Lavender can be used to complement other teas. Other ingredients with a similar flavor profile will tend to…

  • Tea Things

    Orange Peel

    April 25, 2023 - By 

    Orange peel, also known as citrus peel or zest, is the outermost layer of the orange fruit. Its delicate and floral aroma makes lavender a popular ingredient in herbal and floral teas. Flavor Profile: citrus, bright, fresh, zesty. Tea Uses for Orange Peel Orange peel is typically used to add a zesty or tangy flavour. The peel itself can vary from dark to light, so orange peels in general can be used in many combinations. I would caution those of you who wish to create your own orange peel teas to make sure that the orange peel is thinly sliced…

  • Life

    Violin Lesson No. 1 for Age 1

    October 11, 2022 - By 

    My roughly one-and-a-half-year-old (or 20-month-old for more precision) daughter got her new 1/32 violin. I began trying to teach her. I was honestly not expecting very much, and that is what I got. Of course, a violin session begins with having the violin not in the case. Small Sophie had trouble removing the bow from the case. It has to be pulled out sideways, but she became frustrated trying to pull it out forwards. After the instruments were all out, I began by playing a few melodies she likes, such as the Alphabet song and the Elmo’s World theme. She…

  • Life

    Sesame Place and Longwood Gardens With Our 1-Year-Old

    September 21, 2022 - By 

    In the year that Young Sophie was 0-1, or 2022, we chose to buy a season pass for Sesame Place and a membership for Longwood Gardens. We also considered the Turtleback Zoo (https://turtlebackzoo.com/admission-hours/), which gives free admission to those under 2. Sesame Place We chose Sesame Place for a simple reason that I am sure many other parents of children aged 0-3 understand: Our child likes Sesame Street. And Elmo. Sesame Place grants free entry to those aged 23 months and younger. The cost of one visit with two adults and one baby would total something like $50 Tickets x…

  • Life

    How to Clean Baby Poo off a White Carpet

    July 21, 2022 - By 

    At 17 months old, Small Sophie finally gifted me with a mess on a white carpet. (She thought it was a game to run away as I chased her with a diaper. I got tired and rested. She also stopped— and made her mess. And stepped in it. Yuck!) Until today, I had been fortunate enough that my daughter had only poo-ed out of her diaper once, and that was on hardwood flooring. Hardwood is easy; pick up the offending object(s), wipe the floor, and let dry. Carpet is different, and white is especially annoying to get stains on. Fortunately,…

  • Winnie-the-Pooh Macarons in front of a Bibble and Sip box.
    Food

    Bibble and Sip

    June 24, 2022 - By 

    Bibble & Sip is a cute little bakery in NYC on 51st Street. That happened to have the Asian desserts I am used to. I unfortunately ate my delicious cloud-shaped thing before thinking to photograph anything, so all I can show you are my Winnie-the-Pooh macarons. These were not as good as the cloud-shaped thing, which was clearly fresher, but they were still delicious and quite fun to look at. Ah, I will enjoy being back in Asia where I can get cute and delicious desserts every day!

  • Life

    Learning Locking Blocks at 14-15 Months

    May 24, 2022 - By 

    When Small Sophie first played with these round locking blocks at a little under 15 months of age, she did not know what direction to put them in. She understood that the round part aligned and accurately placed those—— but upside-down or right-side up? She had to try both if she first went with upside-down. By the second day, she understood that they go right-side up and consistently placed them correctly. However, she often left blocks halfway locked. We would help her lock the blocks now and then, else the towers would fall. (She put them back up if they…

  • Life

    Small Sophie’s Sleeping Space (14th Month)

    May 6, 2022 - By 

    Right as Small Sophie turned 14 months old, I decided that it was high time for Young Sophie to learn to sleep in her own bed. 14 months is a large number! It has two digits! And I had endured many months of her rolling, flailing, and climbing on top of me throughout the night. Although she has had her own bed for the majority of her months alive, she was in the habit of rolling into my bed and on top of me every night. You see, her bed was placed next to my bed: In one easy motion,…