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Biko-making
Biko (bee-ko) is a Philippine dessert made from glutinous rice, coconut milk and sugar. We use black glutinous rice or white or mix of both. My mother usually do mix. We love mama’s biko. I still remember when we were young and mama makes biko. My sisters and I help stir the latik (caramelized sugar…
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My Breastfeeding Story
I thought I had already gone through the most difficult part when I delivered my baby until I started breastfeeding. I never thought breastfeeding will give me so much emotions – pain, happiness, love. I was too focused on pregnancy and giving birth and no one really told me about the beauty and struggles of…
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Why most Japanese people don’t speak English well?
You might be surprised and ask yourself this question when you visit Japan for the first time. Having lived in Japan for many years now, I would like to share my thoughts on this matter. There are many reasons why Japanese people don’t speak English well. 1. Japanese Sense of Nationalism First of all, I…
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New Year’s Celebration in Japan and the Philippines
As a Filipina living in Japan for many years now, I can compare how New Year’s Day is celebrated in both countries. There are few similarities and many differences between Philippines and Japan celebrating New Year’s Day that I would like to share according to my observation and experience. Decorations and Preparations In the Philippines,…
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My Childbirth Story
The Big Day – a Holiday October 22, 2019, Tuesday, the day I gave birth to my precious daughter. I was 38 weeks 6 days pregnant. This day was also the Enthronement Ceremony of Japan’s new emperor, a special holiday in Japan. Surprised I never expected to give birth that day. I was caught off…
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Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020
2019 has been so far the best year for me. I finally got pregnant after a long wait and gave birth to our precious baby daughter. I invited my family to come visit me here in Japan two times -in spring and in summer to autumn. I also got my permanent residency in Japan. I’m…
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Food Served at my Maternity Clinic
Food and good nutrition is an essential part in recovery from delivering a baby. I would like to share the meal prepared in my entire stay (six days, five nights) in my maternity clinic. I got admitted in the morning of Tuesday, October 22, 2019, past breakfast time (around 7:30). I delivered the baby at…
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My Childbirth Seminar: Sneak Peek at my Clinic
Friday, September 27, 2019, the day I attended the childbirth seminar in my clinic. This was scheduled a week before, during my last prenatal check-up. It was scheduled for an hour and a half, from two o’clock to three-thirty in the afternoon. I was the first one to arrive (about fifteen minutes before the time)…
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My Pregnancy Journey – The Rough and Tough Road
Sometimes I wonder how my mother did it seven times. Yes. Seven times. She got pregnant seven times. She gave birth to seven children, and I am the fifth of them. Now, it’s my turn to give birth to my first child, and many things, I thought were beautiful about pregnancy seem to fade away.…
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My hospital bag
I am now 33 weeks and 2 days pregnant and weeks ago I could not help myself watching YouTube videos and reading articles about what to put in my hospital bag. I have come across multiple lists and it got me panicking to have those things right away. You know it is my first time…