Beautiful warm spring day

My neighbor's cherry blossom is still well and alive while others have withered away with the warm weather. Today's weather is sunny with a maximum temperature of 22c. This is the ideal weather for all. Our indoor temperature is 23c and we do not need airconditioning nor heater. Humidity is a mild 70%.

Growing vegetables in the summer

The first 2 top pictures are a combinations of okra, tomatoes, bitter gourd seedling plants which we bought. These plants are suitable for the spring and summer seasons. The last 3 pictures are from the internet and we hope our seedlings will grow to be like them.
Today's temperature ranges from a low of 14c to 21c during the afternoon with some clouds and sunshine.

A new house is being built

It is a glorious day with the sun beating down on our neighborhood. The top temperature for today is 16c and spring has arrived. Tomorrow's weather will be warmer with a max temperature of 20c, albeit may be a little cloudy.
There is a small plot of land left in our neighborhood and someone has just bought it. The construction of the bungalow house is now in progress and will be completed in the next 3 months. Heard that the value of the land has gone up about 10% since we bought ours in 2017.
The second picture is that of our neighbors' house. They are a lovely young couple with a cute and friendly little daughter.

Growing snap peas in Japan

These snap peas in our garden are almost ready to be plucked and eaten. It took 5 months from November last year when we first planted it. It grew through the winter and now is harvest time. We do not use any chemical like pesticide etc.
It is a great feeling to have a small garden to grow plants, flowers etc. In Singapore, we can't afford to buy a house with even a small plot of land for gardening. Praise and thank the Almighty for this privilege!

Torn my right wrist ligament last night. It is another setback since 
I have not completely recovered from the other issues. I am typing using my left hand which is awkward so may not blog again till I am fully recovered.

Tulip Spring Festival, Japan

It was Tulip Festival yesterday and these are a few of the photos taken for my readers' pleasure. The top temperature was a comfortable 21c.

Y, okasan & otosan went to Spring festival @ riverside
while I orusuban due to abscess & catheter.
Poo few times due to weak stomach.
Ate porridge & oyatsu.Drank sports drink.

Urine retention and perianal abscess

Over the last 2 days I had urine retention. I couldn't pass urine even when there is an urge to do so. It was painful and worrisome. To add to the suffering, a boil was felt in my anus which turned out to be perianal abscess.
Following the inability to pee, I consulted a urologist. I had ultrasound done to determine the prostate which was a bit enlarged. A catheter was inserted into my penis right up to my bladder. 520 ml of urine of the past 2 days were drained out.

Next, the urologist referred me to a surgeon the following day who operated on my abscess immediately. The procedure under local anesthesia was over in about 30 minutes and I was not hospitalised. (outpatient surgery).
The 2 procedures were painful but provide great relief as I was able to pee and the abscess was removed.
The doctors and all the staff was very kind, patient, caring and professional. As to whether all will be fine with my conditions will be know in the next few days.
Before I forget, I would like to mention that I paid about S$110 for the above (I paid 20% of the bill and the Japanese Govt insurance will pay the balance).

The beauty of Spring

Early spring Flowers blooming

Sakura@ Habu Park 27 Mar 2019

Having lunch @ home in Fukuoka

IKEA Fukuoka part 1, Japan

Double standard or compassionate?

Japan has always been harsh when it comes to dealing with foreigners who overstayed. It is a norm to throw overstayers in jail and deport them. However, a recent case shows that Japan is becoming more flexible in its treatment of overstayers on compassionate ground.
Recently, a foreigner was arrested for overstaying. He is a gay and was sick. He is living with his Japanese partner. This is a serious crime for the overstayer and the one who shelters him. However, the LGBT community  in Japan petitioned the immigration authority to let the overstayer free. After much consideration, the overstayer was not charged nor deported. Instead, he was given a visa to live in Japan with his partner. Just for info, Japan does not recognised same sex marriage. 

Japan visa renewed successfully

Hurrah, I've news that my Japan visa is now renewed for 3 years. The immigration department is so compassionate and magnanimous to extend my visa even though I am an old man without a job. They granted the renewal without even interviewing me. Thank you Mr Abe (PM of Japan) for your kind act!

Red colored pillar box

In some part of Japan, the postal service still uses this 100 years old type of pillar postal box. I stumbled across one as I was having my usual walks. 

Early Spring in Japan