The object of my affection

The object of my affection in Tokyo is very cute. Admirable qualities also include punctuality, honesty and reliability.

The object of my affection is a very smooth operator, yet I don’t have to worry about any guessing games.

The object of my affection is also very quiet about my (lack of) cooking skills.

“I love it!” I said to my husband. “I just love this IC card.”

With PASMO (or Suica), I can go places. B.P. (before PASMO), I went nowhere. Actually, I did go somewhere: to my local train station where the intimidating and overwhelming subway map stopped me in my tracks. The thick lines and thin lines and dotted lines and loopy lines. Jr lines and metro lines and government lines and private lines. Bright colors and pale colors and colored codes. Adult fares and child fares. No fair. I was perpetually confused.



"Mommy, are we there yet?" my son asked me.

"No, Sweetie," I answered as I contemplated the stations C3, G10 and A9. "I'm not sure where we will end up or how much it will cost, but I'm pretty sure if we follow these letters, we might end up winning Bingo."

“Mommy, are we there yet?” my son asked me a few minutes later.
“No, Sweetie,” I answered as I continued to study the map. “Let's go home. I definitely need to return later with some professional navigating tools to help figure out the fare and plot our course. I wonder if Dad still has a sextant and compass from his sailing days.”

With PASMO/Suica, I can focus on the day’s adventure because the IC card automatically debits the correct fare. This means: no more embarrassing ticket wicket rejection. Before the IC card, I was always setting off the ticket wicket alarms; the flashing red light loudly signaling my obvious inability to figure out the correct fare. “Just me again,” I would say to the white-gloved subway officer as I gave him additional coins. “See you tomorrow.”

But then the IC card entered my life. Glorious, easy, convenient IC card. No more guesses. No more frustrations. No more hassles. No more compasses. No more pocketful of coins. No more apologizing to the white-gloved subway officer. OK. I admit it, sometimes I am still rejected at the ticket wicket, but now I easily and instantly recharge and am quickly on my way. Success! Let the Tokyo adventures begin!

“Mommy, are we there yet?” my son asked me.
“No, Sweetie,” I said as I reviewed the balance on his IC card. “I need to put more money on your PASMO. By the way, where did all your train money go? And, where did you get all that food?”
“Oh,” he said with a mouthful of potato wedges. “Did you know you can buy stuff at the conbini with your PASMO or Suica card? All you do is swipe. It’s awesome! Who wants a corn dog?”

The object of my affection is very cute. Admirable qualities also include punctuality, honesty and reliability.

The object of my affection is also full of surprises.