cars master zone: March 2010

New 2010 Nissan Sentra Image

2010 Nissan Sentra gets slightly freshened styling and new option packages. This compact car offers six models. On all models except the SE-R and SE-R Spec V, the rear seat cushion can be flipped forward, allowing the split rear seat back to fold flat with the trunk floor.

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with wheelbases 99.4 inches or longer. Our Best Buys include the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Nissan Versa, and Volkswagen Jetta. Our Recommended pick is the Scion xB.

Girl's Talk--Comfort Food

This is a typical " mother's taste" meal in Japan which I have learned from my Mother-in-law. You may find the recipe here It is served with a bowl of white rice and miso soup. I'm very much thankful to my Mother-In-Law who taught me how to cook when we were still living with them during our first year of marriage and now I am cooking them with my own family and it also became our family's comfort food--it is called Nikujaga ( beef and potato stew ). If it is served on our table, expect an " gohan okawari! " ( more rice, please!) from Wakaba and Haruka! ^_^

Do you have any Comfort Food?? Wanna talk and share about 'em? Head up to Niko ganda's fun meme only here at

Couple's Corner--Sweet Gestures

Ever since we got married and our life became busy with children and our hands full but sharing chores at home do make a little difference. From dumping the garbage before heading to his work in the morning, taking the dirty dishes to the kitchen after eating, cooking pancake as our breakfast during his day-off ( occasionally ) or making his part ( even without me looking or being told )on his very own special way is the sweetest gestures that he has ever done to me and by that the kids also shares their part at home and I find them soo sweet!
My husband also loves to take us out on his day-off, going out in different places for me and the kids to see and enjoy--he told me that going into different places and doing different things can ease my homesickness ( it was a problem before when we're still living at the bukid of tralala coz we're really in the middle of nowhere lol! ). I love him for thinking of what can makes us really happy for my sake and the kids.

Acts of kindness doesn't have to be that big, it is usually the smaller and simple acts that mean more.

For more talks at Couple' s Corner, head up to Mommy Liza' s fun meme

PBW--Wakaba's Graduation Ceremony

---Wakaba's Graduation Day was held inside the chapel at school---

The Japanese school year ends in March and Wakaba graduated from Kindergarten last March 20, 2010. Graduation Ceremony is one of the most important events at kindergarten and we are a proud parents of Wakaba!! The Graduation Ceremony wasn't too long because they only have small class size ( only 13 graduates )---the Graduates sang songs and lil speech and a speech coming from the teachers, too. I almost cried when the main part of the ceremony comes in and Wakaba went to receive the graduation certificate from the school principal/Director. I know, it's only kindergarten but I can't help it. My heart is bursting with gladness! What a delight to see Wakaba and her classmates receiving the symbols of their achievement!

---Wakaba, before the ceremony starts---

---speech coming from the Kindergarten Graduates to their loving Parents, Teachers, Principal, and Friends---

---classmates and Mariko sensei---

---soon-to-be-classmates-at-kinder and soon-to-be-classmates-at-gradeschool---

---Together with Wakaba's bestfriend, Reano chan--

---A face of a happy Mom!---

---Proud Parents of Wakaba with Haruka---

We went out to to celebrate and went ahead to my PIL's place coz the whole family want to spend the momentous event with us.^_^

For more Pixel Bug Weekenders, head up here

Food Trip Friday--- Steak Miya

We went to Steak Miya ( Steakhouse ) after Wakaba's Graduation Ceremony ( will have a separate post for that ). The Ceremony didn't last long but since it's their last day and some of her classmates will be in different school this school opening for next month, they played around, had some bondings and took some photos. We waited for them until they say goodbye to each other. Wakaba and some of her classmates promised to go to Aqua Marine Fukushima during this spring break together with Moms.

---Mixed Grill is best for a starving Mama--chicken, hamburger steak, roast beef, prawn and veggies on the side. All in one!---

---Cut Steak ( 125g)Wazen Set, accompanied with a bowl of white rice, salad, miso soup, etc and a dessert, too! The Japanese style sauce of their steak is one of a kind!---

---dessert in the evening---Eclair filled with custard cream and whipped cream and topped with fruits. Cakes here in Japan is not too sweet and are really a fantasy and I find the filling to be a bit overwhelming. YUM!---

Happy Anniversary to

For Food trippers join us here. Chibugan na!!! \(^0^)/

Mommy Moments--Summer Days Is Here!!

Well, that's Mommy Moments theme for today---Spring has just sprung here in Japan and in a few more months summer days will finally be here! Can't wait!! I love summer coz there's a lot of events here like Wakaba's Summer Festival at school, Tanabata Festival, Hanabi ( Spectacular fireworks ), Golden Week, Picnic Time, Obon Holiday and we're really fond of going somewhere and I guess it's mottainai ( sayang ) if you just stay at home when the sun is out and the weather is clear. Here are some of Wakaba and Haruka's photos taken some time in the summer. Enjoy!

---Aqua Marine Fukushima---

---Haruka---

--- Natsu Matsuri or the Summer Festival---

---Wakaba, wearing her summer yukata------taken last year at Aqua Marine------Growing up too fast!---

Share your Mommy Moments and stories-- join us here

We' d love to hear from you! ^_^

Girl's Talk-Pictures I Would Rather Hide

I looked like a lukaret lol! Just had a serious shot that fits well with a ' Woman Wearing a Kimono' before this one but I can't help but pose of being the real ME lol!

I would rather hide a photos of a drunkard me! My husband is fond of taking photos of me whenever I got drunk during some of our drinking sessions and make fun of me afterwards. I have lots of them but I guess lahat malala and this is the least decent one lol!

Do you have photos that you would rather hide but still don't care to share 'em???
Head up to Niko ganda's fun meme

I'm Back With Good News!

---My beer-friend is finally home!---

First things first... I would like to thank everybody for dropping by and for leaving your messages and comments here while I'm at the bukid of tralala ( my PIL's place--just in case if you haven't heard it yet ). Forgive me, we don't have internet there so I can't bloghop and it's boooring really lol!
Yep, I'm back with good news! First, Wakaba has just graduated from Kindergarten and she will start as gradeschool next month. Second, Haruka will be in kindergarten in the same school in where her big sister was in during her kinder days next month--they will be going into different school this time. During the first few months of the school opening, I might be busy again but in times when my husband has his day-off on a weekdays and the kids are at school, we can go out for a lunch date or spend some time just the two of us --that's the third. Fourth, after spending 4 months in the hospital from a car accident, my MIL is finally at home and that's why we went to their place right after Wakaba's Graduation Day coz they also want a double celebration ( she still have a hard time of walking and doing things at home and their ramen shop is still closed and I decided to give a hand and stay coz the kids has no school anyway. My husband went home ahead coz he has to work and was picked up yesterday ). We went to Za-Za ( Yakiniku restaurant ) during the night for a celebration together with my PIL, BIL, SIL Mihoko and daughter Yuina and Ayana and my other SIL Taiko announced that she's three months pregnant!! Well, that's the fifth and a lot to call for a celebration!

And lastly, it's great to be back!!!\(^0^)/

News BMW Coupe Cabriolet

The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. Successor to the BMW New Class, it has been produced in five different generations and in no less than five different body styles. It is BMW's best selling automobile, accounting for nearly 40% of the company's auto sales in 2005.

The BMW 3-Series is currently used in both the SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series and the Grand American Road Racing Association Series. In the final 2006 Grand Am standings, BMW finished second in the manufacturer's standings in both the Grand Sport and Street Tuner classes, while E46 BMWs prepared by Turner Motorsport won the driver's and team championships.

Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet

The Ford Focus is a small family car manufactured by Ford first in Europe starting July 1998, then worldwide starting February 2000 (with its own model for North America in production until late 2010). A second generation launched in Europe in January 2005, received styling and engineering updates in January 2008, and is marketed globally outside North and South America. The third generation model will be sold globally upon its launch, first in Europe (late 2010) then in the Americas (early 2011).

In Europe, South America, North America and South Africa, the Focus replaced the Ford Escort. In Oceania and Asia, it replaced the Ford Laser. Focus models rank as the 41st bestselling automotive nameplate worldwide, with over 5 million sold.

The Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet is doubly seductive: a dynamic coupé that can be turned into an elegant cabriolet in just 29 seconds. From chromium-plated details to its Pininfarina logo on the side, the Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet displays a whole series of quality details. The elegant lines of the new front end clearly demonstrate Ford’s Kinetic Design language, and they match perfectly the refined lines of the side and rear profile. Thanks to the all Italian elegance, the vehicle expresses style, harmony and dynamism both when the hard-top is closed and when it is folded away into the luggage compartment. This rigid two-piece unit was designed to withstand any weather conditions, and was tested severely on the icy roads of Finland and in the dry heat of Spain.

Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet

Renault Megane Coupé Cabriolet will certainly be present in the international public at the Geneva Motor Show. Its main attraction is of course a folding glass roof area of 0.47 square meter (5-square-foot automated opening mechanism electro-hydraulic, passengers will enjoy an open top automobile with the touch of a button lowers the two-piece roof in about 21 seconds.

A fixed glass wind deflector ensures a minimal cabin intrusion, and work to speed up to 90km / h (56mph). Greater speed can be added. Among the exterior features a directional headlights with bi-Xenon light and dark red taillights with LED brake lights. Tomtom satellite navigation system Carminat, USB connection, 3D sound and an electronic parking brake.

Six engine options, three petrol and three diesel, is now offered. This includes 130 TCE with 6-speed manual gearbox, 2.0 16V 140 PS (138 bhp / 103kW) mated to a CVT transmission and DPF DCI 110 Renault paired with a new dual clutch gearbox.

Beauty Volvo C70 Coupe Convertible

The Volvo C70 is an automobile manufactured by Volvo Cars in two generations: the first from model years 1997-2002 as coupé and from 1997-2005 as a softtop convertible. The second generation C70 has been marketed since 2006 as a retractable hardtop. Volvo introduced an updated version of the C70, in new Flamenco Red Pearl paint, at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.[8]. The new C70 includes a redesigned front end, new rear LED lamps, and a redesigned, wider instrument panel. Engine and transmission remain the same as before. It went on sale in early 2010, as a 2011 model in North America.