July 2003. 

Summer had always been like this in Japan, nothing new: carnivals despite the hot humid days and nights filled with “cool” shows. It was particularly hot but we did not turn the aircon on. We were just married and expecting our first child (hence the frugality) and besides, I never really liked too much air condition.

We just came from a summer festival in the nearby town. I participated in the traditional bon odori or bon dance and enjoyed it so much. I don’t know what prompted me to dance with strangers, it must not be alcohol because I did not drink any. Anyhow, I was tired and suggested we’d rest awhile and tackle the dishes later.

We watched TV right after dinner and I was hysterically laughing at the comedy act being performed. Then the whole scene changed to drama. We were not making any sound nor twitching a muscle while sitting on the sofa and eyes nailed to the TV.

Out of the blue, I felt a jerking movement. Gas? Hunger pangs? I guess not because I just had my meal. The movement did not come from my husband but I still looked at him and asked him if he jerked or jolted. He said no.Right after a few minutes, I felt a poke in my side. It did not take any genius to know that there was another new movement and it did not come from anywhere or anyone but from me!

The new life inside was starting to announce the key landmark of her journey to life.

This writing exercise is fueled by the writing prompt “new” at Sunday Scribblings.

This blog is just 3 months old. For a while I had been experimenting on various WordPress template because there are lots out there and because it is free. But someday, I would love to have my own custom blog design. Now, isn’t it every blogger’s dream?

Good news is that,  A Frog in my Soup and Sweet ‘n Simple Design is offerring the opportunity to win a new blog design! The lucky winner will either choose a pre-made template or a custom design that’s one of a kind.

The winner will be announced on January 31st. I am excited.