Takara in Tokyo: Ramblings of a Wife, New Mother, and Entrepreneur from Alabama Living in Tokyo

Eh hemmmmmmm.... We're Moving to SoCal!

Takara in Tokyo — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 13:45:47 +0900

San Diego to be exact... more details to come! Just wanted to update you that we're good and busy over here!

My 4 Thoughts on the Dark Girl Preview

Takara in Tokyo — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:49:05 +0900

If you haven't already viewed the Dark Girl Preview, stop reading this and watch the short preview below now.

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

I just watched this preview with my six month old daughter, who would definitely be classified as a 'light skinned girl'.

Here are four thoughts on this:

1. It makes me sad, as I can certainly relate to some of the women to some degree. I've heard the, "You're pretty cute.... for a dark girl" several times. Ha! This line embarrasses me for the person who says it. It's a backhand compliment from someone who doesn't know any better. I just forgive them and keep it moving.

2. It makes me motivated. Motivated to protect my daugter from this nonsense as much as I possibly can. Though, I'm not naive enough to know that I can protect her from everything stupid people say.

Recent example, "Is she your baby? Why is she a different color from you? You're dark." I was recently asked that question by yet another person who doesn't know any better.

3. It makes wonder and question why, why does this still matter? I've heard a lot of racist stuff my thirty years of life. Some towards me, some not. I've learned how to pick my battles and keep it moving.

4. Finally, this video makes me so very thankful that I come from a family of beautiful and confident women. My mother taught me the importance of having high self-esteem that comes from within, not the type that needs validation from others.

This is a true blessing; one I intend to pass on to my beautiful daughter.

(Thank you mommy, I love you.)

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the video.

Toodles!

Hitch'd Stash, Now Accepting Beta Testers! Sign-up for an Invite.

Takara in Tokyo — Wed, 11 May 2011 10:27:38 +0900

Yay! Guess what my lovely readers? I've been working ever so diligently to bring something new and exciting to the wedding space! It began when I first found out I was expecting Baby K!

I'm finally super excited to introduce Hitch'd Stash, our wedding inspiration search and curating tool. If you love saving pretty and inspiring things for your wedding, then Stash was created especially for you!

We're emerging from our alpha development stage and we're beginning to line up beta testers. Curious to see what we've been creating? Have a look at our screenshots below and sign up for a beta invite.

You can found our more about us by going to our Hitch'd Stash FAQ page.

Check out our facebook page and follow us on twitter for updates!

Toodles!

Download full size (531 KB)

Download full size (360 KB)

via blog.hitchdbydesign.com

This Video is Makes Me Say, kawaiiiiii!

Takara in Tokyo — Sat, 07 May 2011 20:36:45 +0900

Lately, everyone has been asking us when we're leaving Japan for good. The plan still hasn't changed :), we're leaving before Baby K is school-aged... probably. Next stop, Hawaii or wherever the Lord leads us.

I realized I rarely share with you the things I love about Japan anymore. Living here has become so regular and normal that I hardly ever feel motivated to share stuff with my folks back home anymore. I'm going to change that by regularly sharing things with you that I like or find interesting here.

On the flip side, when I am back in the US, I am more likely to snap a photo of something of something to share with others when I return to Japan. Funny.

Anyway, I stumbled across a video that just tickles me for a few reasons.

1. It's so cute. It's just makes me say 'kawaiiiii' in my most authentic high-pitched Japanese voice!

2. It's so weird. But, weird things kind of make sense here in a weird sorta way.

3. It's so Japan. I say that because it's one of those songs that you'll hear in a convenience store, on a shopping trip, or if you're lucky, at karaoke with friends.

4. I want an ichigo (strawberry) hat for Baby K, she would look so cute in that!

Now that I've hyped it up, have a looksy :).

3 Years + 5 Months + 8 Random Things + Water Bottles = So Much to Be Thankful For!

Takara in Tokyo — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:45:45 +0900

(Don't you just love the the title of this post?)

Yesterday we celebrated our 3-year anniversary and Baby K's 5 Month birthday! Can't believe I've been a wife for three years, who would have thought? Actually, I would have. But, people often tell me they didn't think I was the marrying type because I was so career-driven. Eh? ;) That just goes to show, just because a young woman is about her business doesn't mean she can't and won't settle down. She's probably waiting patiently for someone who's all about HIS business to come along, so they can handle their business together. Okay, that's enough sentences with 'business' in it, hehehe. You get what I'm saying!

Anywho, our little angel is 5 months old and boy, is she a joy!! Oh how we love her so much! She's an active little something and so cuddly wuddly! Always climbing trying to get somewhere. She smiles and laughs all of the time. She rolls over, and she knows how to use her voice to get anything she wants. Yep, we love her to peices.

Here's some random stuff for you:

1. Received a sweet message on Facebook today from a reader, thanks again ;). It seriously made my day! My readers rock!

2. When we left Tokyo right after the earthquake for Okinawa for a few days, a few of my houseplants died :(. I was pretty bummed about it when I came back. G attempted to nurse them back to life. I replaced two of them, but am desperately trying to nurse two remaining ones back to health. No luck so far.

3. Have to send out Harry and David Thank you baskets to the most generous two people in Alabama. Embarrassed that I haven't already done so. You know who you are!

4. Hey Hey! Mother's day is on it's way! Guess what!!!!! I'm a mother!!!!!!! Seriously missing family right now. Really enjoyed my time in Alabama and visiting family in Oregon. Wish G would have joined us, but it was nice getting to know his family outside of his being there. Felt like I was really a part of the family during this last visit. Yay!

5. In case you missed it, I've been building a web app for the wedding space and we're getting ready to launch soon! It's pretty exciting. Just set up our Facebook Fan page. Be a dear and like the page please!!!! Here's the link: Hitch'd

6. Tokyo is even more lonely, now that many expats are leaving b/c of the quake... boo. Need more friends here. Being home really made me miss being around a lot of people. I love a lot of people :).

7. While in Alabama, Baby K had a photo session with her big cousin! Can't wait to see those photos!!! (She's really liking water bottles these days. They're fascinating to her as you can see.)

8. Wore my hair natural for an entire month and a few weeks. It tired me out. Taking care of natural black hair is hard work. Not to mention styling it! Back in braids and soooooo happy!

Toodles and can't wait to hear from all of you!!!

Mommy Daughter Portrait

Takara in Tokyo — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:46 +0900

We are fine. I am writing this brief post from my in-law's home in Oregon with my lovely little Baby K sound asleep at my side. G is still in Tokyo, missing us :) and we are truly missing him. It's been a long and intense past few weeks, but things are beginning to get back to normal and we hope to return to Tokyo at the end of this month.

I truly appreciate everyone's sweet messages and prayers. With the excepton of a minor inconvenience it caused our family, we are fine. However, the Tohoku region is not fine and my guess is that it will not be for some time. The Tohoku region holds a very special place in my heart, as I considered Sendai my "Japan Hometown" since I attended Tohoku University. I am still in disbelief over what has happened there. Please, keep the region and victims in your prayers as they begin to get their heads around it all and attempt to rebuild.

U.S. Passport ownership by state [infographic] - Holy Kaw!

Takara in Tokyo — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:02:32 +0900

via holykaw.alltop.com

Thought this was interesting...

Shoes of Prey Japan, Welcome!

Takara in Tokyo — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 03:40:11 +0900

世界でたったひとつのシューズをオンラインで。

Shoes of Prey（シューズ・オブ・プレイ）は世界でたった一つのオリジナルのシューズをオンライン上でデザインし購入する事ができるサービスです。ヒールの高さ、素材、色、形、デザイン、あなたの思い通り。完成したデザインを元にShoes of Preyの靴職人が一つ一つ、あなたのオリジナルシューズを丁寧に造り上げ、お届けします。

世界で一つのシューズをギフトに贈ってみませんか ♥ ギフトチケット

via shoesofprey.jp

So excited this start-up has come to Japan! I'm totally about to order some shoes now!

3 Months Already and We can't Imagine Life Without Her :)

Takara in Tokyo — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:57:50 +0900

Happy Birthday my love!! You're already 3 months old today!!

Mommy and Daddy love you bunches and bunches!

2.5 Months and 10 Thoughts on Being a New Mommy in Tokyo!

Takara in Tokyo — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:00:47 +0900

Sheesh Louise people, where has the time gone?!! I mean seriously, I didn't think time would fly by so fast. My little angel (and angel she truly is) is almost three months and I am still in a state of euphoria over it all. G and I really are PARENTS, doting parents I must admit.

Baby K has us both wrapped around her tiny little pinky toes and we just can't get enough. She is truly a treasure in so many ways!

Here are a few thoughts on being a new mommy in Tokyo!

1. I see why people have multiple children. Yes indeed, I understand completely. While I was pregnant (and even while giving birth) it was pretty tough for me to understand why people did this over and over again. But that was all before Baby K's first smile, laugh, cry, poop, blink... (Yes, i love my child.)

2. Finally, we've reached the point where I am able to get things done around the house. I'm feeling pretty good these days, as I can clean, take care of Baby K, and cook (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and still have a happy little one. Yay!!

3. Just as I suspected, G is wonderful with her. He is a great daddy, I can already tell they have a special bond. The look on her face when he picks her up and talks to her, it's the best.

4. I had no idea how wonderful nursing would be (not to mention convenient!) It is truly fulfilling to see your child grow, and the only source of food has been mommy's milk since birth (plus an occasional drop of Mylicon).

5. Speaking of gas.. Baby gas (the audible kind not the painful kind) has to be one of the most hilarious things on this earth. I mean really, such a small little baby just pootin' like a grown man! It's the look on her face though that makes it most funny, totally oblivious!

6. I'm feeling great and am counting the days until she turns three months because I get to hit the gym at (TAC) and she can be watched in the daycare for an hour during my session.

7. My child can eat. And, she can be quite serious and vocal about mommy not moving fast enough. When she is hungry, watch out!

8. We're planning a trip home this summer to introduce her to all of her family, exciting!!!!

9. I am recovering from a cold, it sucked. I always wondered what it would be like to take care of baby while sick... not very fun. Baby K didn't get sick though, very very thankful about that.

10. While I do use Facebook, I'm not comfortable putting up all of my baby's photos up regularly. It's not private enough for me. So, I've been using Moment Garden to share my daily uploads with friends and family, they are all really enjoying it. It's like a private Facebook for your baby.

It's been a while since I've posted, so I'd love to hear from you!