Wow! Thank you! Maganda sa Kagoshima.

Good morning, Peter. Thank you for relating to my videos. I'll share how I appreciate everything in life, hard or easy. I feel that I really have the strength to overcome everything. Yesterday, I tried a challenging thing which I did not do when I was younger. "To get into a ramen shop alone". I was out of town for my on-call job, hungry and no where to go for a lunch, I entered a ramen shop. In Japan, most ladies are intimidated to get in a ramen shop alone, obviously I am, too. When I got in, that shop was crowded with men! No ladies. But I had no much time so I ordered and ate anyway!

You're right, Maryanne. I'm glad you noticed that part, " my desire of farming". I'd rather spend my time and fulfill my dream to farm in my small yard. I've a lot to do here anyway. It's small but I can maximize the space. It's a challenge and interesting. I may challenge myself how much vegetables can I grow from this small space. I look forward to a warmer Spring to start slowly.

@@livingwithgraceinjapan Organic gardening coupled with a healthier organic plant based diet can be enriching and lucrative too. Edible produce can be visually satisfying and rewarding for hard work. Besides, optimize returns against expenses too.

@@maryannelow731 , I'm designing my small yard now... have to maximize the space by growing vines such as bitter gourds.

@@livingwithgraceinjapan Aubergines, tomatoes, sugar snap peas are vines produce which some say are easy to manage. Ginger, potatoes, turnip are other easy tubers too. Look foward to your future videos on edible crops from your beautiful yard !👏

@@maryannelow731 You're giving me inspiration, Maryanne!! Thanks!!!

We're well..thank you so much.

Thank you, Howard. Yes, you're right. Mr. Morinaga Takuro is an economist, a professor, and a vocal critic of the government system related to pension. My husband loves to listen to his radio program since he wasn't able to watch TV due to vision issues. Listening to radio is the only medium for my husband to know current events. He became obssessed with Mr. Morinaga because of his views helping minorities.

Thank you, Catherine. I think about how do I put subtitles so I'm glad to know you appreciate it. Enjoy learning.

Those curtain-like stuff hung in front of the shop is called "noren". It's hang at front doors / entrances to let customers know that the shop is on business hours. Thank you for your relatives visiting and enjoying Japan. Visitors from South East Asian countries are growing very much.

Charlie, how are you doing? Well, I hope... thank you for your comments on this channel. Take care.

@livingwithgraceinjapan Konichiwa Grace. I'm doing OK. Pain always differs from day to day. I am visiting family. We have been talking about your gardening skills. It's a pleasure. Take care. Greetings to your husband. I admire his determination and how well you care for him.

Thank you... I will. He's fine. Take care, too.

Hello, Margarette...

Happy to see your comment today! I'd like to share what is happening today here in our engawa. I was feeding the white and black stray cat in the morning then my wild thought I put into action, gave him his favorite kamaboko inside the front door and trapped him, I closed the door! Then he ran wildly inside the house, my husband got panicked because he didn't know it was a cat! Now he is hiding in between of my hanging staghorn ferns... I removed all the pots and hanging ferns to avoid getting damaged. Oh my goshh!! The glass window remained open incase he wants to go out. The cat keeps hizzing and I'm scared! LOL! What a day!

I can just imagine the panic your husband was in when he can hear the commotion but not see it! I guess you needed so other kind of excitement in your life! Next time when your bored you know what to do. “Here little kitty, I got some kamaboko for you…..”. 😆 I hope the cat found it’s way out….or maybe he’s just waiting for you to fall asleep so he can seek revenge!😳

@@Lifesaver-o9e, I will show how the cat hid in between the staghorn ferns on my next video. I was scared to death so I promise the cat that I won't trap him again. LOL.

😀🤗

Locals are very welcoming of tourists, like when I roam around the streets with my camera, a local elder would tell me which shops to go and even teach me Japanese language. Funny thing but I love it. Have a great day ahead, Elsie...

You are so welcome!

I was trying to tell myself that because of a death of the person we both admired, we should be grateful of the life we have and maximize each day.

Ate Rose, not negativity. You shared authenticity. Thank you for sharing your story with your Mom. I didn't know that you were from Okinawa (your Mom). We've been there and I loved it so much. It feels like Philippines in Okinawa, only that it's cleaner and safer. I love the sugarcane, papayas and familiar plants on the road. I take care of my husband more than I take care of myself- I guess.

@@livingwithgraceinjapan I was born in Okinawa. I can’t give you a long reply because I was just operated this afternoon. Regards to your family.

@@RosalindaBautista-lh8lb, Ate Rose... I remember your operation, 3rd of February. Hope you'll get well soon. Take care, Ate.

@ Thanks, Grace.

Thank you.

Thank you so much... best regards.

Thank you so much... I'm glad to see you here today.

Thank you so much, Margaret. I'm glad you're here today...

I've met a few people who are amazed by my desire to know the history of this river near our home and sharing them online. There is another video coming soon. I don't mind following "suggested uploading time" because I less care of statistics or analytics anyway. Thank you... there's so much to reflect during this hibernation period. I hope you're well, too...

I am working on it. Only that my husband's hospital visits (hospital and dentist) are frequent these days. We're well. Thank you, Elsie...

@@livingwithgraceinjapan No worries, take your time. Just concern about you and your husband

I won't. There's a sad story about this cat. A young Japanese man who used to be the tenant of this old house, left them ( a number of cats ) and moved anywhere. I didn't know that story until a neighbor told me which broke my heart. I am actually willing to adopt him, so whenever I do the yard work, I leave the front door open to see if he wants to get in- but he won't. This cat comes regularly for my prepared food, early morning, noon (sleeping on the mat I set-up on our front door for him) and evening.

Ohayo gozaimasu, Daniel san. I wish I am a film director who can make a film of your love story with your Japanese wife because I feel it"s worth sharing with our fellow foreign spouses of Japanese nationals. I feel the depth of your love to your late wife. I started a channel to share my life to clear those misconceptions about filipina wives that we chose to marry Japanese men for convenience. We are in the hospital now for check up. I will talk to you more later. Take care.

Ate Fran, thank you for dropping a message today. I haven't got much time to finish my next video for I've been busy as well. You're so kind, Ate Fran. I admire you for your emphathy and good heart. Take care always... we're well.

And to add... we will never know what will happen when we're completely weak and be needing healthcare services already. We sold property before we tried to retire in the Philippines- it was a good move. I'll be uploading new video soon which I'm working now. Thanks for watching as always, Elsie.

Dear Ian, good morning from Tochigi City. I have taken a video of the current Prime Minister of Japan discussing the poverty rate of elders, single moms, children, etc. for I am adding it on my next video. Thank you for watching this previous video of mine. -Grace

@@livingwithgraceinjapan t

@@livingwithgraceinjapan

@@livingwithgraceinjapan Dear Grace , thank you. I see lots of snow is coming to Japan, is that also in your area ( Tochi ‘ ? If so please keep,warm & take care. Kind regards. Ian.

@@ianplumridge8747, we have no snow in our area fortunately. I didn't even change my car's tires to snow tires. Thank you, Ian. We are wel. take care.

Because he thought that the Philippines is a less stressful place than Japan. He worked all his entire life, thus, the work ehtics, responsibilities and customs in Japan can be suffocating even for a Japanese like him. Living in the Philippines, for him, as long as we have the money, it's easy. He would not do anything, technically. But for me as a Filipina who have to deal with everything, even if we had the money, our 18 months in the Philippines was the hardest of my adult life.

Thank you for watching this video. I'm well as I'm doing everything to make myself at peace by appreciating these simple joys of life. I have so much to share on my channel. Please keep watching. Thank you so much...

When I was younger, some would even let me hear their negative perception about a filipina marrying japanese and made me easily heartbroken but now that I am caregiving their "fellow citizen", I am getting praises especially from the healthcare workers. There are still malicious blunt views. I am stronger now to ignore them. Thank you for watching.

Good morning, from Tochigi City. Thank you for watching this video. I'm well and now preparing to meet a tourism official after knowing their willingness to share with me the history of this city. I can't tell what my video will be look like but thinking about it gives me excitement.

@ That’s wonderful news. I am happy for you. I’m sure it will be a very interesting video as well. A good idea to keep your videos circulating in KZbin is to do shorts. Good luck. Take care

Thank you so much!

Reading your comments about the past videos with my deep thoughts and stance for our retirement in Japan is giving me the courage to speak and share more of what is going on with us. I prefer deep talks than shallow ones but I was once suggested that in order to grow this channel, sharing about negativity won't help. My common sense and heart oppose because my rain reason why I started a channel is to be real and express my suppressed feelings being a minority in this country. With your comment, I believe I am doing what is right.

@livingwithgraceinjapan As we grow older, we long for " heart to heart talks" to be understood. You are very brave Grace. Keep doing what is right and what feels right in your heart. Unless people share honestly about their struggles, others won't know what they are going through. You are dealing with a lot. Bottling feeling and struggles are never a good thing. Sending you hugs. You are in my prayers. I just recently discovered your channel so I have been watching all your videos.

Japan's healthcare supports us in many ways. But still, there are elders out these dying alone. I know and see how these elders are doing. Since my husband became disabled and I learned more about the condition of others, I find myself harder to enjoy life. I'm struggling for keeping myself positive. (I'm being honest).

@ Japan definitely has good health care. I am glad of that for you and you husband. Taking care of someone is hard work, even if it is a loved one. I understand. Tough situations are depressing and learning to live with them and carry on is hard. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You also need a break. I hope that you have people you can talk to, people who will support your mental health and not judge but understand your situation. Everyone needs a good friend and a good cry sometimes.

It's hard to find one real friend in Japan because I came here to work. Finding friends among my colleagues was the hardest because cultural differences added by competition for job position. I learned not to speak my feelings for I knew that by doing so, it'll be the end of everything.

Hello, Charlie... We're used of living frugal. And with my husband's condition, those usual activities we used to do aren't easy anymore. We stay home so I take this channel seriously. Getting sufficient income through running a channel is hard but it is giving me fulfillment so I am determined to continue making video for my self-expression and freeing me from isolation.

@ Hi Grace. Living with disability is hard. It changes your whole life. I think you also only go out when necessary. I do the same. I’m glad you have this channel to occupy yourself and the gardening too. I also have lots of hobbies to keep busy. It helps to pass the time. I pray your channel keeps growing.

Good morning, Peter, we are well. Hope you are, too, in England. I'm looking forward to a warmer season.

Growing mango from seed is my next project. I'm glad that you can do gardening inspite of your disability.

@ I was able to retire at 40 because I received compensation from my accident as it was not my fault. I try everything from embroidery to gardening. It keeps me busy and my mind occupied. I have too much success growing mango from seed. All 4 seeds have sprouted. I don’t have that luck with Lemon or orange seeds. I will keep trying.

Daniel, tears. I felt your story very much. Oh, my... this channel is doing just great because it is giving me the chance to meet you all, Guys, who relate to my situation of caregiving my Japanese disabled husband. Being a foreigner, I was doing everything to work for a living in Japan since I first came here to work, but did not expect or never in my dream that I will be doing everything to protect the well-being of a family so early in my life. I feel how you miss your wife. I hope you have some kind of community or family whom you can rely or depend on when you yourself needing help. Since my husband started to avail the healthcare services, my perception about major things in life has changed, like buying a house or settling on one permanent residence. Why? For sure, when I get older and weaker, I may have to choose whether living in a house or institution instead. But I'm always hoping for the best. Unprecedented changes seem to be happening everyday so we will never know what will happen tomorrow. My husband is doing well although he can't even see how I look like with his eyes anymore. But at least, he can walk to the bathroom and brush his teeth by himself. I can tell how old you are based on your story. One advice I can give you is to take care of yourself... pushing hard is not good. Our old age is shielding us from more pains because of the wisdom we gained. We learned tons of lessons in life. We deserve to enjoy simple joys in life. Thank you for sharing us your story. Your story made my morning, January 27th, 2025.

Hello, Maude. How's your weekend? Yes, you're right. We have a quite of number of lovely likeminded followers. I'm grateful for having you and everyone here.

Welcome! I appreciate this so much.

We're both well.... I was thinking about you. I hope you're feeling better than the last time we exchanged words. Take care...

@ yes, I am doing well now. Thank you Grace.

Thank you..an excellent pass time.

Thank you... thank you so much. You're sweet.

Glad to see you here, too. Thank you so much.

Nice meeting you here, Angela. At the end of the day, a husband and wife are the ones caring for each other. There are unspoken cultural differences but with our situation in life, we're thankful that we have each other. Welcome to this channel. I am hesitant to say "my channel" because this is for everyone who are looking forward to watching new videos to be uploaded. This is our channel.

@@livingwithgraceinjapan Your welcome many blessings to you and your husband 🥰❤️😘🙏

Hi... it looks like a tropical jungle, according to my grandson. Thank you so much.

Elsie, good Sunday morning to you. Your comment is ok. It did not go anywhere.

I met my husband when he was a very healthy logistics in-charged of the company where I worked for. Yes, it was hard. There are still difficulties but manageable. Thank you. Take care of yourself.

@ That’s very interesting. If your video was not titled Filipina, I would never have guessed. You are very brave to leave your country. Your husband is lucky to have a good wife like you. I would love to visit Japan some time in the future. I am very fascinated with the country and culture. Thank you. Take care too

@@CharlieC738, Charlie, healthcare workers coming to support us think how my Filipino culture is saving my husband so much. There were instances of misconception towards Filipinas in Japan, so that is one or the few reasons why I started a channel. Please come and visit Japan! With that plan in mind, you'll keep and maintain the best health. Thank your for joining us here.

@@livingwithgraceinjapan I think in general Japanese culture clashes with other cultures. From the outside looking in, Japanese people are very set in the ways and culture. Is loneliness a big problem there. There number of “lonely in Japan” channels are astounding on KZbin. It makes me sad that people are so isolated. I would live to visit someday soon. I have been trying to learn Japanese. It’s difficult but also challenging.

Yes, the shutter makes us warmer and as it's located in the south-east part, it gives plenty of sunlight to the plants room. I have a few kimonos that are not worn because I have no where to go to, so I decided to make my favorite top. Thank you for your comment.

@@livingwithgraceinjapan Grace , you are definitely a very creative person 😊

@@elsieyeo5904, according to the Chinese horoscope, my job at present ( I can't disclose it specifically though) is not the best for me, instead, I should have pursue arts and design. And it is very interesting that "Media Influencer" is one best profession for me, too. Now I realize that it's true.