5:30 AM – Morning Wake-Up Call
This morning started at 5:30 AM, another chilly winter day where the warmth of the bed is tempting. Today, my younger son had morning practice. My husband, who rarely wakes up this early, volunteered to wake him up—but his efforts didn’t go as planned. I stepped in, as usual, to get my son out of bed. It often feels like my daily strength training routine!
While helping my younger son wake up, I also started preparing my elder son’s lunchbox and the family’s breakfast. Today’s lunchbox was a simple yet satisfying grilled pork bento and Omusubi(tsuna). Despite its simplicity, my son’s friends frequently call it “luxurious.” For growing boys, nothing beats a hearty meal loaded with meat. Hearing these compliments always brightens my day.
8:00 AM – Chores and Preparation
After seeing everyone off, I moved on to my daily chores: cleaning and doing two loads of laundry. Once that was done, I finally had time to focus on myself.
9:00 AM – Study Time
I’ve been studying Python through an online course, but the lessons have become quite challenging. From 9 AM to 3 PM, with only a quick lunch break of Tamago Kake Gohan (Egg Over Rice), I was deeply engrossed in learning.
➡️Click Here to Read About Tamago Kake Gohan!
3:30 PM – Snack Time
At 3:30 PM, I indulged in my favorite part of the day: snack time! Today’s treat was Hoshiimo (Dried Sweet Potatoes), a thoughtful gift from my relatives in Ibaraki. After storing them in the freezer, I warmed them in a toaster for two minutes, creating a perfect soft and sweet texture. Paired with hot green tea and bean snacks, it was a delightful and comforting moment.
If you’d like to learn more about Hoshiimo, check out my dedicated article:
➡️ Click here to read the article about the sweet and nutritious charm of Hoshiimo!
5:00 PM – Dinner Preparation
By 5 PM, my younger son returned home, visibly tired from his morning practice. Shortly after, my elder son arrived, and dinner preparations began. My husband brought home fresh sashimi (flounder, octopus, and bonito tataki), which we paired with Kajika soup, a Hokkaido specialty. I also prepared Bibimbap (Korean mixed rice with vegetables and meat) for the kids, creating a dinner that perfectly balanced Japanese and Korean flavors.
Dinner was not without its hiccups. My younger son, exhausted, fell asleep before eating! While waiting for him to wake up, the rest of us began dinner while watching Naoya Inoue’s boxing match. Thankfully, my son woke up just in time to enjoy his favorite sashimi, and we ended the day as a family, all gathered around the table. Moments like these remind me of the beauty of family meals, even when plans don’t go perfectly.
10:30 PM – Wrapping Up the Day
By 10:30 PM, my elder son surprised us by going to bed early, and my husband had already fallen asleep on the sofa. I wrapped up my day at 11:30 PM, feeling both tired and fulfilled. Another day in the life of a Japanese mom—busy, but always rewarding.
