New Arrival

You might have wondered why no new posts have appeared here for some time. Well, my capacities have been taken up otherwise. Exactly four weeks ago, our baby girl Sophia was born. She’s already been to Japan in utero this spring, and from there she’s got her Japanese baby clothes and a Japanese name (her third name is Rei (麗) meaning beautiful, lovely).

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In which we set tacos on fire

R.I.P. Oven Toaster and Dinner

This one is for all those people who thought going on hikes is dangerous. And it is maybe the least Japan-related post on this blog to date. It is Japan-related inasmuch we (as most inhabitants of this beautiful country) do not own an oven.
Since it had been snowing/raining all day long, the highlight of today was going to be us preparing some exotic food.

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Quantum Diaries

Here at Chipango, I am concentrating on the Japanese aspects of my life. In case you are also curious about my life as a physicist, take a peek at the Quantum Diaries, where I will be writing (along with a bunch of other particle physicists) for the next couple of weeks.

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Terrace Update VII

My garden has recently seen some setbacks.
Of course, after one month away, it was in a so-so state. This was to be expected. Some plants had died, some had grown very large and out of proportion, and some of the herbs had bolted and started flowering. The clematis had suffered considerably, but the morning glory had gone a long way in climbing up the lattice and producing flowers on a daily basis. Due to humidity, my Zinnias and Cosmos were suffering of powdery mildew, yet they kept growing new flowers. But with regular watering, cutting and planting a few new flowering plants, the garden was recovering.

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Terrace Update VI

A last update from our terrace before we are leaving for one month…..

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Gone Fishin’

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Terrace Update V

The weather has become warm here and the vegetation makes big jumps in growth. The summer flowers I grew from seed are essentially ready. We already have two big Sunflowers open and some of the smaller varieties are about to bloom. I was quite surprised by this, but after all, the climate here is considerably warmer than what I am used to. The first Cosmos flowers and Zinnias are blooming and the Snapdragons will be ready in a matter of days.

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Terrace Update III

Now you can die of envy: today, our garden furniture was delivered! Our terrace is now perfectly equipped for lazing in the sun and tea time and dinners outside!

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Terrace Update II

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A flower each day

This is my new motto. I don’t go home without having bought a potted plant. And this is easy these days. Spring comes early here, the plums are already in bloom, and every supermarket sells potted flowers to help the spring feeling along a bit better.
And since I have decided to turn our roof terrace into a blooming forest, it is high time to get started! So far, I have been unable to find a large scale garden supplies store in Tokyo (no surprise), so I am starting out slowly. The wire lattice that surrounds our terrace is turning from a vice into a virtue, since I decided to hang small flower pots form it. Later I will also try to make some climbing plants grow on it.
Picking up a random plant every day, I will get an interesting collection (so far, I own a small Geranium, a Gerbera, some Ivy and other things I do not know the names of). My newest acquisition is a tiny plum tree in full bloom.
Updates will follow!

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