Hello again!

Gosh...I really thought my blog would go rusty as I seemed to abandon it for quite sometime now. To be honest, though, other than being occupied with some works, I`ve been losing my appetites for cooking and experimenting with food. As a result, we`ve been eating outside awfully a lot these days. I know, it`s sad. Eating outside (very often) is sad. Not being able to share what I`ve created in my kitchen with you is even sadder, especially when I come to realize the reason I started this blog in the first place. However, when I talked about this to my husband, he just told me not to worry much and he`s sure I`ll be busy again with my stove, oven, and mixer very soon. I guess he`s right. Or I hope he is. He has to be. 

In the meantime, for a happy talk, I have a great news to share. Plus, I really have to show off my new lovely baby to you. 

I actually had been planning to get a motorcycle driving license since last year, so somewhere around last summer or fall, I bought two books for practicing the exam. After running out of excuses not to study, I was finally able to force myself to cram in all the stuff and kanjis in my head just last month. Armed with (my husband`s) electronic dictionary, my husband (he`s far more fluent in Japanese and experienced in riding/driving than me), and the books, I studied for several days during my spring vacation. You heard me right, my vacation was all about studying and taking the exam. I knew nothing about riding motorcycle or driving or traffic signs, except for red means stop and green means go. So, cramming in all new stuff within days for an exam with no less than 90% passing score was a big challenge for me. Not to mention the riding itself!

But those gazillion cups of coffee and hard work totally paid off since I passed the exam! Hoorraaay!!

To take the exam, I had to attend a lecture and riding lesson at the driving license center (which just sounds like "police office" to me). It started from 8:30 am, continued with the exam at 1 pm, and finally I`ve got my license almost at 5 pm. Phhewwww! It was a very exhausting day, but certainly one of the happiest moments in my life. And apparently his too, as he seemed even much happier than me!

When I got home that day, I quickly browsed for 50-cc scooters on the internet and it was a very exciting process! I`ve fallen for this Honda Crea Scoopy:

Picture from Goobike.jp

...then I thought the blue one was cute too...

Picture from Goobike.jp

...and then later came the Yamaha Vino, which looks much shinier and rounder, ...

Picture from here

...and that`s it! I wanted Vino. The beige one. Or the blue one. Or red?

After deciding, on a Saturday noon, we went to a motorcycle dealer and guess what I saw. For the first time ever. This Honda Giorno scooter. 

Picture from here

In a glance I thought I was looking at Vino, but I wasn`t. And just like that, I forgot the Vino already. Next thing I knew, I rode my baby ivory Giorno home. Wohoohooo!
Oh well, I need to come clean, though. Despite my big and sudden crush on the scooter, my first time riding it on the road was definitely a not-so-fun experience.  I got cold feet and felt so dreadful while driving it behind my husband who drove ahead as my guide that I had a meltdown once I got home (safely). But when the morning came, I fell in love again and I couldn`t wait to give it (and myself) another try. And I`m so glad I did! My next riding wasn`t so bad, although it still needs huge improvement, and I even started to enjoy the whole experience.

So, at the moment I am all about practing, practicing, and practicing while being careful and super slow on the road. You see, the book says 30 km/h max for 50-cc motorcycle and that`s exactly what I do.

With this addition, we are now a family of four and very exciting to welcome the sakura blossom!

Hope you had a great weekend too! Beep beep!