When I started my latest English teaching gig in Japan, I was in my very late 30's. Many of my students were at least a 1/2 generation older than I, if not the age of my parents. I always start the classes with about 15-20 minutes (of 1 1/2 hour class) of free conversation. Japanese students usually start studying English in Jr. High, so, even if they SAY they can't "do" English - most of them can. I rarely met a "true beginner" who wasn't in Pre-school (Thanks to the TV show, "Let's play in English!").
My standard "free conversation" question, especially for older women, is "What did you do this week?" I get stories all the way from museum visits, hair salon appointments, vacation tours to...health problems. So many times my students would say, "If you have your health, you have everything." In my youthful naive heart, I would roll my eyes and think - "How shallow! There must be MANY things more important than health!"
Now I'm about 1/2 of a generation older than I was then. I had my last birthday of the 40's. Since that fateful birthday, I have LOST in the arena of health. Let me assure you - neither I or any of my close family members have any kind of large illness or have been injured. But, we are all falling apart, little by little.
November my father gave us a scare that kept us on pins and needles waiting for a thorough physical exam. Fortunately - the problem righted itself before the exam. "Thank you God!" All three of my brother's kids had joint/bone surgery. Should have seen their Thanksgiving picture! Around that time my "cycle" started doing somersaults, and never righted itself till January. I had some skin biopsies come back benign, and have started some new medication for migraines. Just when I thought we were on top of things, Jun, Ryu, I, and Ryu again have come down with the "common cold." The one that wipes you totally out. Takes away your voice. Gives you a headache. Blocks your hearing. Keeps you awake coughing, and makes you feel "BAD." Unfortunately my Common Cold hit right about the time I decided to do a bit of enthusiastic dancing, holding 5 1/2 year old Jun. We were a sight and it was wonderful. Now, a week later, my back has finally healed. I can move again!
When my brain is full of "stuff," I find I close it off and stop blogging. Sorry! I'll try to do better. And...while I don't want to say that "Health is everything," I sure appreciate it a lot better and have a lot more compassion for folks who are going through more severe health issues.
Showing posts with label Daily Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daily Life. Show all posts
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Let's See...
Just a bit of an update on THE list!
- I had the interview and got the job. Now I have to get the paperwork ready for next Tuesday - after Ryu leaves on Monday for Japan. Have to be sure I have babysitting for Jun and that I can FIND the papers I need to bring!!!
- Ryu leaves Monday way before dawn. Think I'll reserve a hotel room near the airport. Hmmm.
- We moved lock stock and nearly the barrel today. Just need to pick up a few things like the phone when we clean on Sunday and...hopefully return the key.
- I called and scheduled the cancellation of our utilities today. The phone company took the most time...on the phone. Do you think there's a connection?
- We didn't rent a storage room. Our house and garage are pretty full!
- We DID get the plumbing done. Ryu DID get the bedroom sanded - but we haven't finished it yet...thus the house and garage being pretty full!
- We haven't progressed on the bathroom, but...let me tel you...that shower is WONDERFUL!
- My Dad figured out the electricity thing for the stove, so...one COULD cook if one had a pan to cook in that one KNEW where was!
- Jun's Vacation Bible School was postponed a week! YEAH!
- And, our basement needs cleaned again. The cat odor seem to be coming back. We haven't painted or sealed things yet, so...I need to make some time to get down there SOON!
- And I had a VERY Culture Shock Moment at the public library this week. LOL! Sometimes Idaho seems like a different country!
I need to go make beds up...somewhere! Good ight!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I Gotta Say...
IF you use your silicone muffin cup pan UNLINED when making candles out of old cut up crayon pieces and a nice new flowery smelling candle that you chopped and melted and then poured over the cut up crayon pieces to celebrate the "C" in the Alphabet guided Advent activities that your kiddo thinks should be continuing on into January because, "it's FUN, Mom!" and I say, "Don't call me MOM! Call me MAMA! You are STILL FOUR!"...Don't use it a month and a half later to bake chocolate banana muffins. PLEASE! Don't! These muffins are NOT disappearing. Wonder if chocolate makes birds sick? Gotta go brush with my MINT flavored toothpaste...NOW!
Monday, January 3, 2011
It's COLD!!!
We were outside for a few hours today trying to fix our laundry system. Basically, the hot water hose burst a month or so ago and flooded the whole floor and shed (and bunnie's home under the floor, I'm sure - though I had no chance to ask them.) Then we've had trouble with the washer washing after it filled with cold water. Today's fun was that no water would even go into the washer. And right about then, we noticed the water leaking from the hose where it attaches to the cold water faucet. A lot. And the faucet couldn't be turned off. Sooooo, thinking of the bunnies and all, I called the city and they came and turned off the water - in about 5 minutes. I do love many things about small town life. Then I made two trips up to the hardware store to get the correct parts and return the incorrect ones. Ryu went next door and borrowed two pipe wrenches and a handful of other wrenchlike wrenches. And, with my Dad on Skype for 2 1/2 hours talking us through various stages of changing a faucet (don't forget the tape!) and attaching the tubes...we called the water man and he came and turned the water back on for us. And...we had a washer...that didn't work still!!! So, we put the heater on the floor of the laundry room and waited an hour. Now it works. At least the washer is filling...I so hope it does it's whole thing properly!!!! So, that's the pipe wrench story.
The next two stories are language stories. Believe me, Ryu laughed along with us all when we told him!!
My niece was telling Uncle Ryu about this new horse she was going to buy. She was so excited! It was 6 years old and it was broke and they only wanted $400 for it. Uncle Ryu could not IMAGINE why anybody would spend $400 on a broken horse! We laughed and laughed.
One morning Ryu came to me and was very worried. When he 'd been putting Jun to bed the night before, she'd been talking away like usual. He understood that her teacher while she was at kindergarten had made her get into some kind of a position like an upside down cross. He wondered if there had been some...strange things happening there. I talked to Jun. It turns out her teacher uses the phrase "criss cross applesauce" when she wanted the kids to sit cross legged - unless they are wearing skirts, of course! Boy was Ryu relieved!
Jun stories? Well, last night she said, "Mama, I think you need to cut the hairs on my knees. They are getting long." I did well and didn't laugh out loud! I think the hairs on my knees could use a bit of attention too!
Jun did a few days of stress hives between Christmas and New Years. Caused Ryu and I A LOT of stress, we were so worried about her. Things seem to be settled down now, so...we need our boring lifestyle, I guess!
Shopping story!!! We found a store in Boise that sells important staples for our family! Like natto (fermented soy beans) at a reasonable price - only 3 times what we paid in Japan. They are frozen, so kind of soft, but Jun is very happy and has no desire to share with anyone! They also had yakisoba - at a reasonable price!!! With real Japanese chemical powder to put in the noodles. We couldn't have been happier. They also had kakinotane (spicy rice crackers with peanuts). Jun is ecstatic! Oh, and mochi for New Year's!
Fuyu futori family!!! We have all added pounds (yes, probably even kilos) so far this winter. Being housebound is part of it. Eating is the other part! ARGH!!!
In other news...hmmm...we started homeschooling today. Jun is doing very well. She learned a lot during our long winter vacation. I don't think I will be quite as "hishi" (crazy?) about getting everything done every day as I was in the fall. She learns from everyone and everything! And long a with a silent e seems to have clicked! YEAH!
Just wanted to let you know we are alive and well, though freezing!!! Happy New Year!
The next two stories are language stories. Believe me, Ryu laughed along with us all when we told him!!
My niece was telling Uncle Ryu about this new horse she was going to buy. She was so excited! It was 6 years old and it was broke and they only wanted $400 for it. Uncle Ryu could not IMAGINE why anybody would spend $400 on a broken horse! We laughed and laughed.
One morning Ryu came to me and was very worried. When he 'd been putting Jun to bed the night before, she'd been talking away like usual. He understood that her teacher while she was at kindergarten had made her get into some kind of a position like an upside down cross. He wondered if there had been some...strange things happening there. I talked to Jun. It turns out her teacher uses the phrase "criss cross applesauce" when she wanted the kids to sit cross legged - unless they are wearing skirts, of course! Boy was Ryu relieved!
Jun stories? Well, last night she said, "Mama, I think you need to cut the hairs on my knees. They are getting long." I did well and didn't laugh out loud! I think the hairs on my knees could use a bit of attention too!
Jun did a few days of stress hives between Christmas and New Years. Caused Ryu and I A LOT of stress, we were so worried about her. Things seem to be settled down now, so...we need our boring lifestyle, I guess!
Shopping story!!! We found a store in Boise that sells important staples for our family! Like natto (fermented soy beans) at a reasonable price - only 3 times what we paid in Japan. They are frozen, so kind of soft, but Jun is very happy and has no desire to share with anyone! They also had yakisoba - at a reasonable price!!! With real Japanese chemical powder to put in the noodles. We couldn't have been happier. They also had kakinotane (spicy rice crackers with peanuts). Jun is ecstatic! Oh, and mochi for New Year's!
Fuyu futori family!!! We have all added pounds (yes, probably even kilos) so far this winter. Being housebound is part of it. Eating is the other part! ARGH!!!
In other news...hmmm...we started homeschooling today. Jun is doing very well. She learned a lot during our long winter vacation. I don't think I will be quite as "hishi" (crazy?) about getting everything done every day as I was in the fall. She learns from everyone and everything! And long a with a silent e seems to have clicked! YEAH!
Just wanted to let you know we are alive and well, though freezing!!! Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Ignorance Isn't Bliss
Since coming to the US, I've realized more and more - in our own situation as well as observing others - that ignorance comes with a high price-tag.
Our most recent "Ignorance is Expensive" voyage into the new world came through the windshield on our car. Driving home on the freeway, nearly 3 weeks ago, a rock was kicked up by a car in front of us and smacked right into our windshield. I was and am very thankful that we had the windshield there, as it came right at me with enough force to chip the windshield.
This is the first time I've had a car with a chipped windshield. Call me inexperienced? Call me - having spent lots of my driving hours on L.A.'s freeways where, I guess, random rocks didn't fly out and hit me. Either that or the gridlock kept anyone from driving fast enough to let anything fly! Anyway, I am/was a "chip out of the windshield" novice.
However, I thought I remembered something about getting the chip fixed as soon as possible so the windshield wouldn't crack and need to be replaced. Unfortunately for us, our town doesn't have a glass repair place. And the day after we got the chip, it started to snow and we left on a trip (without the car). So the cracking began.
Finally, this Tuesday, we were able to get the car into the next town that has quite a few glass places - now that I know to look for one. Unfortunately, as we drove to town we could see the windshield crack grow and grow and grow.
A "free because the insurance company will pay for it" repair became a new windshield, and our insurance has a rather high deductible for that kind of thing. Kind of makes one a bit sick. From Free to...probably around $250.
But, Mrs. Clause left us a generous cash gift when she returned to the land of Mrs. Clause. I guess God went before us and prepared what we would need. But...what a waste!
PS: If you would like to contact me, please leave your e-mail address in the comments, and I will write you ASAP!
Our most recent "Ignorance is Expensive" voyage into the new world came through the windshield on our car. Driving home on the freeway, nearly 3 weeks ago, a rock was kicked up by a car in front of us and smacked right into our windshield. I was and am very thankful that we had the windshield there, as it came right at me with enough force to chip the windshield.
This is the first time I've had a car with a chipped windshield. Call me inexperienced? Call me - having spent lots of my driving hours on L.A.'s freeways where, I guess, random rocks didn't fly out and hit me. Either that or the gridlock kept anyone from driving fast enough to let anything fly! Anyway, I am/was a "chip out of the windshield" novice.
However, I thought I remembered something about getting the chip fixed as soon as possible so the windshield wouldn't crack and need to be replaced. Unfortunately for us, our town doesn't have a glass repair place. And the day after we got the chip, it started to snow and we left on a trip (without the car). So the cracking began.
Finally, this Tuesday, we were able to get the car into the next town that has quite a few glass places - now that I know to look for one. Unfortunately, as we drove to town we could see the windshield crack grow and grow and grow.
A "free because the insurance company will pay for it" repair became a new windshield, and our insurance has a rather high deductible for that kind of thing. Kind of makes one a bit sick. From Free to...probably around $250.
But, Mrs. Clause left us a generous cash gift when she returned to the land of Mrs. Clause. I guess God went before us and prepared what we would need. But...what a waste!
PS: If you would like to contact me, please leave your e-mail address in the comments, and I will write you ASAP!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Bits and Pieces
Do you think it would be strange to continue to live one's life on Daylight Savings Time when the rest of the world around you isn't? Really! We have nowhere we need to go at any specific time except for church on Sundays. During Daylight Savings Time days, we ate dinner at 5:00 and I started teaching at 6:00. Now I start teaching at 5:00 and we never seem to have a good time for dinner. It changes daily and is no longer a semi-peaceful meal. So, if I change all but a "church clock" back to DLS time...I think our life would be easier. We go to bed too late anyway and get up too late ... so what's the difference? Any comments?
I have posted on all my blogs today. I was quite shocked to see I hadn't posted on my book blog for over a year. And not shocked to find out I'd forgotten the password. Oh well, got it back and all is good.
Jun and I made granola this morning and made up 4 more packages of the dry ingredients for the next 4 weeks or so of breakfasts. I made some bread in the bread-maker and made up 4 more packages of dry ingredients for...you get the picture. Then I vacuumed the floor. I can hardly be bothered to vacuum the floor unless I have got the "baking" out of the way. We take our shoes off at the door, so "kitchen stuff" is where the vacuuming comes in. Ahhh, it feels good to SEE the difference in the floor.
Ryu and I brainstormed a few new leather projects at lunch and Jun and I made Egg Nog (see Kim's Kantan Cooking) to drink with our canned soup and burnt bagels. Oh well, we got full and the egg nog was yummy!
Then Ryu grabbed one half of me to give him advice on a different leather project and Jun grabbed the other half of me to help her to Shimajiro DVD's origami project. I made a nice looking fish!
I did two loads of laundry. It doesn't sound like much of a big deal, but...the laundry room is in the shed out back through the snow. That's not much of a big deal, but...when you decide to do a load, you first unplug the heater and move it off the washer onto the dryer. Then you plug the washer in and put the nearly frozen detergent and clothes (not nearly frozen) in and away it goes. Then you have to put the now empty basket on the washer and empty the drier lint thingy because you won't have room to do that later when you bring another basket of clothes out, what with the heater sitting on the dryer and all. Then, when you are done with all the laundry, you have to remember to unplug the washer and plug the heater back in. And I need to remember to replace the light bulb out there. As I said, it isn't such big deal, you just have to think when you do the laundry!
My big goal for the day was to clean up my office area. Well, the day is not done yet!
Oh, yesterday was "D! Mama!!! D!!." So, I got myself up off the couch and, with the help of lots of origami paper and some star stickers, we made a night sky with beautiful angels and a big star and I strung white lights around the window. Then, I opened the other box of lights. Colored lights. Both other boxes were colored lights. I had one more window to do. Uncharacteristically, I thought...it's OK, the windows don't HAVE to match! Then, to my great surprise and...to a bit of my delight...Jun INSISTED that the windows DID have to match! Obsessive at the age of 4. I can defiantly see where she got it! LOL~! So, the angels now have colored lights around their heaven. It works.
When I was hanging the white lights over the dining room entrance I had to laugh. As I was wondering where the center of the large entrance was, I noticed lots of other pin holes in right about the right place! It made me think of all the other renters who have lived here who decorated for Christmas just like us!
Well, it is almost 5:00, so class will start soon. Let me know what you think about anti-Day Light Savings Time Life. Ryu thinks I'm crazy. But???
I have posted on all my blogs today. I was quite shocked to see I hadn't posted on my book blog for over a year. And not shocked to find out I'd forgotten the password. Oh well, got it back and all is good.
Jun and I made granola this morning and made up 4 more packages of the dry ingredients for the next 4 weeks or so of breakfasts. I made some bread in the bread-maker and made up 4 more packages of dry ingredients for...you get the picture. Then I vacuumed the floor. I can hardly be bothered to vacuum the floor unless I have got the "baking" out of the way. We take our shoes off at the door, so "kitchen stuff" is where the vacuuming comes in. Ahhh, it feels good to SEE the difference in the floor.
Ryu and I brainstormed a few new leather projects at lunch and Jun and I made Egg Nog (see Kim's Kantan Cooking) to drink with our canned soup and burnt bagels. Oh well, we got full and the egg nog was yummy!
Then Ryu grabbed one half of me to give him advice on a different leather project and Jun grabbed the other half of me to help her to Shimajiro DVD's origami project. I made a nice looking fish!
I did two loads of laundry. It doesn't sound like much of a big deal, but...the laundry room is in the shed out back through the snow. That's not much of a big deal, but...when you decide to do a load, you first unplug the heater and move it off the washer onto the dryer. Then you plug the washer in and put the nearly frozen detergent and clothes (not nearly frozen) in and away it goes. Then you have to put the now empty basket on the washer and empty the drier lint thingy because you won't have room to do that later when you bring another basket of clothes out, what with the heater sitting on the dryer and all. Then, when you are done with all the laundry, you have to remember to unplug the washer and plug the heater back in. And I need to remember to replace the light bulb out there. As I said, it isn't such big deal, you just have to think when you do the laundry!
My big goal for the day was to clean up my office area. Well, the day is not done yet!
Oh, yesterday was "D! Mama!!! D!!." So, I got myself up off the couch and, with the help of lots of origami paper and some star stickers, we made a night sky with beautiful angels and a big star and I strung white lights around the window. Then, I opened the other box of lights. Colored lights. Both other boxes were colored lights. I had one more window to do. Uncharacteristically, I thought...it's OK, the windows don't HAVE to match! Then, to my great surprise and...to a bit of my delight...Jun INSISTED that the windows DID have to match! Obsessive at the age of 4. I can defiantly see where she got it! LOL~! So, the angels now have colored lights around their heaven. It works.
When I was hanging the white lights over the dining room entrance I had to laugh. As I was wondering where the center of the large entrance was, I noticed lots of other pin holes in right about the right place! It made me think of all the other renters who have lived here who decorated for Christmas just like us!
Well, it is almost 5:00, so class will start soon. Let me know what you think about anti-Day Light Savings Time Life. Ryu thinks I'm crazy. But???
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Snow Day
Jun and I put our boots and coats on over our PJ's and went out with a ruler to measure the snow this morning. Home schooling and all that, you know! There were about 9" (22.5cm) of snow out there! I mentioned to Ryu that we didn't have a snow shovel. He said to wait till the sun melts it off. My Dad said we will be snowed in till spring, then!
So, Jun and I later found an old heavy shovel in the shed and shoveled a bit around to get the car out of the driveway (into the unplowed road) so I could get the pick-up (that has 4-wheel drive) out. Eventually the switch was finished and we came back in to hibernate for the rest of the day. Can snow make one sleepy? (Ryu wrenched his back Monday, so is excused from hard labor!)
We did end up doing our A is for Angel today. Friends, Family, Loved Ones and Uncrafty Folk like myself - THIS is Origami from heaven! Here's the link for this pre-printed, pre-colored, pre-measured, with folding lines origami angel. Christmas Angel Origami I copied and pasted the picture into Excel to make the angel as big as my piece of paper, but you certainly don't need to do this. I thought we'd be making an angel for the top of our Christmas tree - still no idea where folks around here get Christmas trees (live ones), though a girl from church called to see if I waned to buy a Poinsettia. Anyway, we are well on our way to making the multitude of heavenly hosts who appeared to the shepherds on the hills and sang "Glooooooooooooooooria!" I think they will look nice over the window. Now Jun has me making a flower for the tree. OK. From Origami. OoK. With the directions written in Japanese. OooK. But, folks, it is a HYDRANGEA (ajisai!!!) !!! Those bloom in MAY!
On for our stellar dinner tonight. This one certainly won't make it to Kim's Kantan Cooking! When I was in Japan I "made curry rice" rather rarely. We had it at church EVERY Sunday for the first 5-6 years of our married life, so, who needs curry twice a week? Well, after Sunday Curry stopped, I started making it according to the recipe on the box of roux - more or less. We are a no-onion family and I am a cheap Mama, so our curry was always a bit...soupy. Anyway, since coming to the US, curry is a treat! Not one to be taken lightly. A small box of roux here is $2.50. For the three of us, I use 2/5 of the box at a time and dump in a bunch of curry powder.
But, that's not the half of it. Ryu commented that my curry never seems to taste the same from time to time. No, honey. It surely does not and cannot. I use curry to disguise leftovers. Here's what I mixed together in the pot today before adding that precious 2/5 of a box of curry roux to the rest:
So, Jun and I later found an old heavy shovel in the shed and shoveled a bit around to get the car out of the driveway (into the unplowed road) so I could get the pick-up (that has 4-wheel drive) out. Eventually the switch was finished and we came back in to hibernate for the rest of the day. Can snow make one sleepy? (Ryu wrenched his back Monday, so is excused from hard labor!)
We did end up doing our A is for Angel today. Friends, Family, Loved Ones and Uncrafty Folk like myself - THIS is Origami from heaven! Here's the link for this pre-printed, pre-colored, pre-measured, with folding lines origami angel. Christmas Angel Origami I copied and pasted the picture into Excel to make the angel as big as my piece of paper, but you certainly don't need to do this. I thought we'd be making an angel for the top of our Christmas tree - still no idea where folks around here get Christmas trees (live ones), though a girl from church called to see if I waned to buy a Poinsettia. Anyway, we are well on our way to making the multitude of heavenly hosts who appeared to the shepherds on the hills and sang "Glooooooooooooooooria!" I think they will look nice over the window. Now Jun has me making a flower for the tree. OK. From Origami. OoK. With the directions written in Japanese. OooK. But, folks, it is a HYDRANGEA (ajisai!!!) !!! Those bloom in MAY!
On for our stellar dinner tonight. This one certainly won't make it to Kim's Kantan Cooking! When I was in Japan I "made curry rice" rather rarely. We had it at church EVERY Sunday for the first 5-6 years of our married life, so, who needs curry twice a week? Well, after Sunday Curry stopped, I started making it according to the recipe on the box of roux - more or less. We are a no-onion family and I am a cheap Mama, so our curry was always a bit...soupy. Anyway, since coming to the US, curry is a treat! Not one to be taken lightly. A small box of roux here is $2.50. For the three of us, I use 2/5 of the box at a time and dump in a bunch of curry powder.
But, that's not the half of it. Ryu commented that my curry never seems to taste the same from time to time. No, honey. It surely does not and cannot. I use curry to disguise leftovers. Here's what I mixed together in the pot today before adding that precious 2/5 of a box of curry roux to the rest:
- Leftover beef stew
- Leftover pasta with cheese, turkey and cream of chicken soup
- Leftover oyakodon (chicken and egg in a sweet broth)
- Leftover mixed veggies
- Leftover apple and celery salad with a bit of whipped cream and lots of cinnamon and nutmeg (I microwaved this for 2 min before adding it.)
And you know? It was really good!
And lastly, during our "Let's talk in Japanese" Dinner, Jun was singing the Japanese favorite "Ashita ga aru..." (Tomorrow will come...) song. However she was singing it that tomorrow wouldn't come. I stopped her and said, in Japanese, "Well, I guess if tomorrow doesn't come it will be OK because we will be together in 'tengoku.'" Jun got wide eyes and asked, "Mama is 'tengoku' Boise?" Tengoku means 'heaven.' We howled!
Thanksgiving: I'm so thankful for the snow and the last few days of rest. I've enjoyed hanging out with Jun and helping Ryu with his latest leather project!
Monday, November 29, 2010
November 29, 2010
Well, today was a rather stellar day. It is always nice when one of those comes around. A day that doesn't really need to be edited!
After a breakfast of a rather too toasted bagel (my bad) Jun and I slowly got ready for school. If the calendar on which she records the weather each day that we do school is accurate...it's been quite a long Thanksgiving break for us. Perhaps we needed it. Jun was an eager beaver to get started! First she wanted to write a letter to our friends. I helped her spell the second half. Perhaps you can see where basic phonics ends and American spelling begins:
OY HAD U Fun toym PLAYinG witH (Friend's name spelled correctly) PLAYinG GAMES.
I really think Jun should develop her own language. It makes a lot more sense. She seems to know that "y" makes a long E sound - for those still a bit confused.
Next she DEMANDED that we do Math. So we did a bit of skip counting (counting by 2's). It was quite amazing to me to see how much she had FORGOTTEN during our Long Thanksgiving Break! Especially in the writing department - letters and numbers. But, we persevered and played a game that was enhanced by Mom to include addition and subtraction. She only adds up to her 1's, but ...this game was a number line kind of game. Anyway, we had fun.
Then came Reading. I decided that it would be REALLY nice if we mastered the long A before Christmas's LONG BREAK, so skipped forward a lesson and we started in. Jun really prefers short vowels, but...we kept it short and sweet and there are about 5 2-page lessons in this book, so she should get it eventually! I BELIEVE!
After that came Japanese. She wrote in her hiragana workbook very slowly (tracing) and didn't have to do each symbol 3 times! We were all very pleased!
I've been wanting someone to teach Jun some musical something. But the Kindermusik group I looked into seemed a bit too expensive for the short time of learning. Then I realized that, though there is not a bucket in the world that can carry the tunes that I sing, I still CAN read music! HA! So, we started today with Jingle Bells. Fast notes and slower ones. And the names of a few of them. Then I got the set of bells (that you hit with a stick kind) that her grandfather bought for her for her first Christmas - at least he paid for them - thank you, Ojiichan! And we played Jingle Bell's first few notes. Then Jun played an incredibly beautiful song that she made up. And I kind of wondered why I was trying to teach her music, but...I'll continue!
After a great lunch of the rest of the turkey, noodles, a can of cream of chicken soup, a handful of cheese mixed in and another on top, some corn thrown in and then baked int he oven before being topped with bacon, we went down to the cellar!
Our cellar is not easy to get into. We had to knock the snow off the deck, pry the part of the deck covering the stairs up as it was frozen to the base, and lay back a very very heavy porch just to get to the stairs. Down there we found a thrashed old kitchen table. I really do mean thrashed. I don't know how they got it down there, as we had to trim off the rotten part of two of the legs to get it out. Unfortunately Ryu wrenched his lower back in the process, so, for him, it might not be considered such a stellar day. But, we got the table out and got Ryu all doctored with Ben-Gay. Ryu wants to take the table apart and completely remake it into his dream work bench for the leather projects he has. Go Ryu! I know he will do a great job!
Then Jun and I went up town to do errands. Back to the bank where I unknowingly wore "Hello Kitty" clips all over my hair and they looked at me strangely. I wanted to change yen into dollars today. I expected it not to be easy and I was so so correct! After hours and hours, they figured it out. In the middle of those hours and hours Jun and I went to the Drug Store where I bought a coffee mug I can plug into my car lighter or my computer. Sounds pretty cool to me! And Jun enjoyed herself with the Christmas decorations.
Then to the library where Jun always starts by giving the librarian a big hug and, then, with our books, we went to the PO where Jun entertained other customers while I got things sent to Japan.
Back to the bank where Jun colored and interviewed the bank manager about her family! 1/2 hour later we went to the grocery store where I lost Jun.
You know, I have a terrible habit of loosing Jun. Really! That kid is fast and I am slow, I guess. Also I am a bit lazy and this is a friendly town, so I don't worry like I should (but I DO worry in big cities!) I left her in the check out line behind a person with a ton of stuff. Jun had a little kiddie-sized grocery cart with our few things in it. I went about 9 feet away to get Daddy some coffee. When I finally figured out what kind he wanted and how to get it into the cup, and turned back around...no Jun. No cart. I was really surprised. A nice man asked if I was looking for a little girl. Yep. Well, she went that-a-way. So I did too. There she was at the end of the produce aisle, talking to a store lady. I would like to mention here that that little kids grocery cart had been causing us nothing but sorrow the entire shopping trip because it was noisy and wouldn't go straight. HOW DID SHE GET SO FAR SO QUICKLY??? Anyway, she was telling the store lady she was looking for her Mama who was getting her Daddy coffee. A bit embarrassing. Then we got home after it all and I realized the cashier double charged us for a cheap box of zip lock bags and didn't charge us for a huge box (read expensive here) of trash bags. I was just too tired to care today. Maybe I will bring it up next time I'm in.
Dinner was rice, smoked salmon, otsukemono, miso soup, and Korean nori. Oh, and I had apple salad for dessert. Will we ever get to the bottom of that bowl???
My class was cancelled tonight, so Jun and I cleaned the living room, got her ready for bed and watched "The Little Drummer Boy." I didn't remember any of the story from my childhood, so it was nice to see it again. Then I put Junnie to bed.
The sunny weather, the white snow, the warm home...Ahhh, I'm very very thankful, God for this great day!
After a breakfast of a rather too toasted bagel (my bad) Jun and I slowly got ready for school. If the calendar on which she records the weather each day that we do school is accurate...it's been quite a long Thanksgiving break for us. Perhaps we needed it. Jun was an eager beaver to get started! First she wanted to write a letter to our friends. I helped her spell the second half. Perhaps you can see where basic phonics ends and American spelling begins:
OY HAD U Fun toym PLAYinG witH (Friend's name spelled correctly) PLAYinG GAMES.
I really think Jun should develop her own language. It makes a lot more sense. She seems to know that "y" makes a long E sound - for those still a bit confused.
Next she DEMANDED that we do Math. So we did a bit of skip counting (counting by 2's). It was quite amazing to me to see how much she had FORGOTTEN during our Long Thanksgiving Break! Especially in the writing department - letters and numbers. But, we persevered and played a game that was enhanced by Mom to include addition and subtraction. She only adds up to her 1's, but ...this game was a number line kind of game. Anyway, we had fun.
Then came Reading. I decided that it would be REALLY nice if we mastered the long A before Christmas's LONG BREAK, so skipped forward a lesson and we started in. Jun really prefers short vowels, but...we kept it short and sweet and there are about 5 2-page lessons in this book, so she should get it eventually! I BELIEVE!
After that came Japanese. She wrote in her hiragana workbook very slowly (tracing) and didn't have to do each symbol 3 times! We were all very pleased!
I've been wanting someone to teach Jun some musical something. But the Kindermusik group I looked into seemed a bit too expensive for the short time of learning. Then I realized that, though there is not a bucket in the world that can carry the tunes that I sing, I still CAN read music! HA! So, we started today with Jingle Bells. Fast notes and slower ones. And the names of a few of them. Then I got the set of bells (that you hit with a stick kind) that her grandfather bought for her for her first Christmas - at least he paid for them - thank you, Ojiichan! And we played Jingle Bell's first few notes. Then Jun played an incredibly beautiful song that she made up. And I kind of wondered why I was trying to teach her music, but...I'll continue!
After a great lunch of the rest of the turkey, noodles, a can of cream of chicken soup, a handful of cheese mixed in and another on top, some corn thrown in and then baked int he oven before being topped with bacon, we went down to the cellar!
Our cellar is not easy to get into. We had to knock the snow off the deck, pry the part of the deck covering the stairs up as it was frozen to the base, and lay back a very very heavy porch just to get to the stairs. Down there we found a thrashed old kitchen table. I really do mean thrashed. I don't know how they got it down there, as we had to trim off the rotten part of two of the legs to get it out. Unfortunately Ryu wrenched his lower back in the process, so, for him, it might not be considered such a stellar day. But, we got the table out and got Ryu all doctored with Ben-Gay. Ryu wants to take the table apart and completely remake it into his dream work bench for the leather projects he has. Go Ryu! I know he will do a great job!
Then Jun and I went up town to do errands. Back to the bank where I unknowingly wore "Hello Kitty" clips all over my hair and they looked at me strangely. I wanted to change yen into dollars today. I expected it not to be easy and I was so so correct! After hours and hours, they figured it out. In the middle of those hours and hours Jun and I went to the Drug Store where I bought a coffee mug I can plug into my car lighter or my computer. Sounds pretty cool to me! And Jun enjoyed herself with the Christmas decorations.
Then to the library where Jun always starts by giving the librarian a big hug and, then, with our books, we went to the PO where Jun entertained other customers while I got things sent to Japan.
Back to the bank where Jun colored and interviewed the bank manager about her family! 1/2 hour later we went to the grocery store where I lost Jun.
You know, I have a terrible habit of loosing Jun. Really! That kid is fast and I am slow, I guess. Also I am a bit lazy and this is a friendly town, so I don't worry like I should (but I DO worry in big cities!) I left her in the check out line behind a person with a ton of stuff. Jun had a little kiddie-sized grocery cart with our few things in it. I went about 9 feet away to get Daddy some coffee. When I finally figured out what kind he wanted and how to get it into the cup, and turned back around...no Jun. No cart. I was really surprised. A nice man asked if I was looking for a little girl. Yep. Well, she went that-a-way. So I did too. There she was at the end of the produce aisle, talking to a store lady. I would like to mention here that that little kids grocery cart had been causing us nothing but sorrow the entire shopping trip because it was noisy and wouldn't go straight. HOW DID SHE GET SO FAR SO QUICKLY??? Anyway, she was telling the store lady she was looking for her Mama who was getting her Daddy coffee. A bit embarrassing. Then we got home after it all and I realized the cashier double charged us for a cheap box of zip lock bags and didn't charge us for a huge box (read expensive here) of trash bags. I was just too tired to care today. Maybe I will bring it up next time I'm in.
Dinner was rice, smoked salmon, otsukemono, miso soup, and Korean nori. Oh, and I had apple salad for dessert. Will we ever get to the bottom of that bowl???
My class was cancelled tonight, so Jun and I cleaned the living room, got her ready for bed and watched "The Little Drummer Boy." I didn't remember any of the story from my childhood, so it was nice to see it again. Then I put Junnie to bed.
The sunny weather, the white snow, the warm home...Ahhh, I'm very very thankful, God for this great day!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Shopping with Jun and Horses
Today you get a double header! Can hardly wait, huh?
Today we went shopping like we have NOT been shopping since we got here. At least never to these shops. And never with Mrs. Clause!
Our day started out at Costco. Even though we went to Costco occasionally when we lived in Japan, it has been YEARS since we have been there. And, to go to a well stocked store (maybe they all are?) where the prices of things that we use daily were so CHEAP. Well, it was very overwhelming. Especially as our kitchen - which I planned to keep empty 7 months ago - is bursting at the seams - how did THAT happen? Add all of that great temptation and great prices to Mrs. Clause (0ur friend from Japan) who is used to Japan's Costo prices and who wants to bless the socks off of us...let's just say, the car had great traction on the way home. And, I AM finding room for EVERYTHING - if we don't eat it first. Jun complimented me on our great salad tonight and thanked me for getting it. Nope - not Mama - Mrs. Clause!!! Along with the already cooked whole chicken - how DO they season that? Brine? ALL the meat had flavor! WOW!
Jun started out this morning in a pair of Christmassy warm tights, a red turtleneck and a pink and purple stripped hooded t-shirt. I insisted that she put on pants or a skirt. She insisted that she was dressed. I won - kind of. The next time I saw her she had added shorts. Until we were shopping, I forgot that they were her "paint the house" shorts, but...oh well! Then she added a pink Princess light coat. When we left the house she also had shoes on! Yeah! Keep this paragraph in mind, please.
Suddenly, in the refrigerated section of Costco, I noticed Jun, sitting on the floor at my feet with her shorts OFF. The Princess coat wasn't going to be long enough to keep her decent, so I hurried to help her. I thought she wanted to take her tights off, as she did THAT at church on Sunday! So, after I got one shoe off, she said, that, no, the problem was that something in her tights was sticking into her leg. Well, I reached into those tights, drew out the offending plastic tag left-over and dressed my girl again.
Then, at the end of the Costco trip, Mrs. Clause went to the little girl's FANCY dress section. She has bought fancy dress up dresses for Jun before, and Jun wears them whenever she can. Jun found a blue short sleeved one. It is supposed to snow soon. I said no. Many times. I found a beautiful black and red long sleeved one. I suggested we leave it up to Eeenie Meanie. This is Jun's version:
Eeenie Meanie Miney Moe, Catch a spider by its toe, Eeenie, Meanie, Miney, MOE! Moe was the blue dress. I suggested 2 out of 3 and TRIED my BEST to get her to start with Eeenie on the OTHER dress. Nope. The blue dress got MOE'd twice, and one MUST go with whatever gets MOE'd! Finally there was one more dress that was available for consideration. I guess she started Eeenie on THAT one, because that's what we got! No pink. No purple. No butterflies. White and black. Go figure!
Then I lost Jun in the tiny deli we stopped at for lunch. I wish I remembered the name, it was so good! I finally saw her across the room, either watching the TV or talking to the folks over there. Not sure. The second time I lost her at the SAME DELI, it turns out she'd gone to the restroom with Daddy!
Later as we were eating I told her that they were playing American Football on TV. She said, "Are they just trying to push each other down?" Well...yes and no?
We stopped by a Christian book store on the way home that FINALLY had a play area for kiddos. Jun went into independent imaginary play in about 2 seconds...rather noisily. As happy as could be! Too cute! And I got to shop in peace. Any homeschooling Moms use Horizon's Math books? I picked one up to see if I like it.
Then we went to the clothing store across the street where Levi's were on sale for $34 from the original price of $48! As Daddy was shopping, Jun found a table with a little skirt over it to play under. Well, I THOUGHT that's what she was doing. The next thing I knew, she was handing me her tights wrong side out. OK. Then I made her put her shoes back on. Then, back under the table she went...to play I THOUGHT! Yep, I wasn't too sharp today! Comes back out and hands me her turtle neck. Keep in mind she had to take at least one other layer off by then to get it off and then get dressed again. How many times DID she change before we got home and she modeled her new Eeenie Meanie MOE dress and the new pink pants she got??!?! She is quite the clothes horse!
And, speaking of horses, here is the second part of the double header. I went out to our friends 'after dropping Ryu off with a full car - nice huh? I NEEDED to feed their dogs and have a bit of alone time. Things were going great until I got near their house. THEN I saw their HORSE standing in the front lawn eating rose bushes!
I am not a farm woman, nor a ranch woman, nor a horse woman. I am not afraid of them, but just haven't learned how they tick. So, with no cell phone to call anyone, I said a fervent pray for wisdom, jumped out of the pickup and called the horse to follow me. Well, I will cut the melodrama short. Two of the men who work on the farm arrived right about that time. I threw myself on their mercy, they caught the horse with a tiny string, led her to her corral, secured the gate that she probably got out of, and hopefully all is well! I gave them MANY thanks and GOD many thanks! YIKES! Last time I fed their dogs, I took one to the vet to get porcupine quills taken out of its nose. What could be next??
So, that's the double header!
Thankful: For Mrs. Clause's great generosity to us and for Jun's rapidly improving Japanese, and...for the horse catchers!
Today we went shopping like we have NOT been shopping since we got here. At least never to these shops. And never with Mrs. Clause!
Our day started out at Costco. Even though we went to Costco occasionally when we lived in Japan, it has been YEARS since we have been there. And, to go to a well stocked store (maybe they all are?) where the prices of things that we use daily were so CHEAP. Well, it was very overwhelming. Especially as our kitchen - which I planned to keep empty 7 months ago - is bursting at the seams - how did THAT happen? Add all of that great temptation and great prices to Mrs. Clause (0ur friend from Japan) who is used to Japan's Costo prices and who wants to bless the socks off of us...let's just say, the car had great traction on the way home. And, I AM finding room for EVERYTHING - if we don't eat it first. Jun complimented me on our great salad tonight and thanked me for getting it. Nope - not Mama - Mrs. Clause!!! Along with the already cooked whole chicken - how DO they season that? Brine? ALL the meat had flavor! WOW!
Jun started out this morning in a pair of Christmassy warm tights, a red turtleneck and a pink and purple stripped hooded t-shirt. I insisted that she put on pants or a skirt. She insisted that she was dressed. I won - kind of. The next time I saw her she had added shorts. Until we were shopping, I forgot that they were her "paint the house" shorts, but...oh well! Then she added a pink Princess light coat. When we left the house she also had shoes on! Yeah! Keep this paragraph in mind, please.
Suddenly, in the refrigerated section of Costco, I noticed Jun, sitting on the floor at my feet with her shorts OFF. The Princess coat wasn't going to be long enough to keep her decent, so I hurried to help her. I thought she wanted to take her tights off, as she did THAT at church on Sunday! So, after I got one shoe off, she said, that, no, the problem was that something in her tights was sticking into her leg. Well, I reached into those tights, drew out the offending plastic tag left-over and dressed my girl again.
Then, at the end of the Costco trip, Mrs. Clause went to the little girl's FANCY dress section. She has bought fancy dress up dresses for Jun before, and Jun wears them whenever she can. Jun found a blue short sleeved one. It is supposed to snow soon. I said no. Many times. I found a beautiful black and red long sleeved one. I suggested we leave it up to Eeenie Meanie. This is Jun's version:
Eeenie Meanie Miney Moe, Catch a spider by its toe, Eeenie, Meanie, Miney, MOE! Moe was the blue dress. I suggested 2 out of 3 and TRIED my BEST to get her to start with Eeenie on the OTHER dress. Nope. The blue dress got MOE'd twice, and one MUST go with whatever gets MOE'd! Finally there was one more dress that was available for consideration. I guess she started Eeenie on THAT one, because that's what we got! No pink. No purple. No butterflies. White and black. Go figure!
Then I lost Jun in the tiny deli we stopped at for lunch. I wish I remembered the name, it was so good! I finally saw her across the room, either watching the TV or talking to the folks over there. Not sure. The second time I lost her at the SAME DELI, it turns out she'd gone to the restroom with Daddy!
Later as we were eating I told her that they were playing American Football on TV. She said, "Are they just trying to push each other down?" Well...yes and no?
We stopped by a Christian book store on the way home that FINALLY had a play area for kiddos. Jun went into independent imaginary play in about 2 seconds...rather noisily. As happy as could be! Too cute! And I got to shop in peace. Any homeschooling Moms use Horizon's Math books? I picked one up to see if I like it.
Then we went to the clothing store across the street where Levi's were on sale for $34 from the original price of $48! As Daddy was shopping, Jun found a table with a little skirt over it to play under. Well, I THOUGHT that's what she was doing. The next thing I knew, she was handing me her tights wrong side out. OK. Then I made her put her shoes back on. Then, back under the table she went...to play I THOUGHT! Yep, I wasn't too sharp today! Comes back out and hands me her turtle neck. Keep in mind she had to take at least one other layer off by then to get it off and then get dressed again. How many times DID she change before we got home and she modeled her new Eeenie Meanie MOE dress and the new pink pants she got??!?! She is quite the clothes horse!
And, speaking of horses, here is the second part of the double header. I went out to our friends 'after dropping Ryu off with a full car - nice huh? I NEEDED to feed their dogs and have a bit of alone time. Things were going great until I got near their house. THEN I saw their HORSE standing in the front lawn eating rose bushes!
I am not a farm woman, nor a ranch woman, nor a horse woman. I am not afraid of them, but just haven't learned how they tick. So, with no cell phone to call anyone, I said a fervent pray for wisdom, jumped out of the pickup and called the horse to follow me. Well, I will cut the melodrama short. Two of the men who work on the farm arrived right about that time. I threw myself on their mercy, they caught the horse with a tiny string, led her to her corral, secured the gate that she probably got out of, and hopefully all is well! I gave them MANY thanks and GOD many thanks! YIKES! Last time I fed their dogs, I took one to the vet to get porcupine quills taken out of its nose. What could be next??
So, that's the double header!
Thankful: For Mrs. Clause's great generosity to us and for Jun's rapidly improving Japanese, and...for the horse catchers!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Grocery Lugging
It always surprises me about what catches me by surprise - whether living in Japan, or the US. Today it was the woman checker at the grocery shop that got me!
First, I wasn't even going to go grocery shopping. I went twice this week already and didn't find what I wanted or didn't remember to look for all that I wanted. And, on some days, going grocery shopping is too much of a mental stress, while on others it is fun. This was a mental stress day.
But, I went anyway. Why? Because after my stop at the bank and the drug store, my car was parked on a one-way road that pretty much leads to the grocery store. So...I took the road of least resistance.
When I got to the store I decided against the huge grocery cart, as I had no Jun to haul along. And, with no Jun, I would have felt a little silly bent over pushing the kiddie grocery carts. So, I got a basket. Thinking - as I often foolishly thought in Japan, that if I get this little basket, I won't buy OTHER things. I think I'm getting ready to hibernate for winter. My freezer is literally nearly full (it's a small freezer, but...) My cupboards are bulging with...food. Well, anyway, I filled my basket with various things - the last 5 pounds of whole wheat flour didn't fit, so I just lugged that in the other hand up to the check stand.
As the clerk was ringing me up, she looked around for my cart to put the bags into. She looked surprised and asked me, "Did you carry all this up here?" I felt surprised. "Yep!" Wow! Yep - an "in Japan" story. (I may be telling lots of these lately, now that I mention it.) We lived in "shita machi." This means that most folks get around on foot. The shops are not far away, there are few parking lots and...we do a lot of lugging.
BJ (Before Jun), but I should really say, "Before I broke down and took Jun out of the sling and began to use the stroller (baby car)" shopping involved a lot of lugging. Being a ruralish American, we shop once a week or less. So, you buy lots at once and...in Japan, lug it all home. On top of the baby strapped to your chest. Then you lug the bagssss up to the 4th floor to your apartment! And you didn't gain the fall-five, nor the fyuyu-5 (winter) that year at all!!!
Then came the baby car. I could hook the plastic shopping basket on the handles of the baby car and push kiddo and food. Only once did this not work well...at all. If I remember correctly, I had the kiddo on the sling and...the baby car flipped over and, I'd had the basket resting on the top of the roof thingy, and things went flying everywhere. And everyone rushed to help me. Oh well!
Anyway, with the stroller, I could sling groceries exceeding Jun's current weight on the handles and in the holder places, as long as I didn't take my hands off the handle. Jun was great for helping Mama haul groceries!
So, as I carried out my three bags of...kind of heavy? groceries out to the car today, I reminisced about Grocery Lugging in Japan. What great exercise that was!!!
Thankful: For all the friendly faces I would see on my grocery trips in Japan. And thankful that I am still in touch with some of them!!!
First, I wasn't even going to go grocery shopping. I went twice this week already and didn't find what I wanted or didn't remember to look for all that I wanted. And, on some days, going grocery shopping is too much of a mental stress, while on others it is fun. This was a mental stress day.
But, I went anyway. Why? Because after my stop at the bank and the drug store, my car was parked on a one-way road that pretty much leads to the grocery store. So...I took the road of least resistance.
When I got to the store I decided against the huge grocery cart, as I had no Jun to haul along. And, with no Jun, I would have felt a little silly bent over pushing the kiddie grocery carts. So, I got a basket. Thinking - as I often foolishly thought in Japan, that if I get this little basket, I won't buy OTHER things. I think I'm getting ready to hibernate for winter. My freezer is literally nearly full (it's a small freezer, but...) My cupboards are bulging with...food. Well, anyway, I filled my basket with various things - the last 5 pounds of whole wheat flour didn't fit, so I just lugged that in the other hand up to the check stand.
As the clerk was ringing me up, she looked around for my cart to put the bags into. She looked surprised and asked me, "Did you carry all this up here?" I felt surprised. "Yep!" Wow! Yep - an "in Japan" story. (I may be telling lots of these lately, now that I mention it.) We lived in "shita machi." This means that most folks get around on foot. The shops are not far away, there are few parking lots and...we do a lot of lugging.
BJ (Before Jun), but I should really say, "Before I broke down and took Jun out of the sling and began to use the stroller (baby car)" shopping involved a lot of lugging. Being a ruralish American, we shop once a week or less. So, you buy lots at once and...in Japan, lug it all home. On top of the baby strapped to your chest. Then you lug the bagssss up to the 4th floor to your apartment! And you didn't gain the fall-five, nor the fyuyu-5 (winter) that year at all!!!
Then came the baby car. I could hook the plastic shopping basket on the handles of the baby car and push kiddo and food. Only once did this not work well...at all. If I remember correctly, I had the kiddo on the sling and...the baby car flipped over and, I'd had the basket resting on the top of the roof thingy, and things went flying everywhere. And everyone rushed to help me. Oh well!
Anyway, with the stroller, I could sling groceries exceeding Jun's current weight on the handles and in the holder places, as long as I didn't take my hands off the handle. Jun was great for helping Mama haul groceries!
So, as I carried out my three bags of...kind of heavy? groceries out to the car today, I reminisced about Grocery Lugging in Japan. What great exercise that was!!!
Thankful: For all the friendly faces I would see on my grocery trips in Japan. And thankful that I am still in touch with some of them!!!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Date Day Delayed!
When I woke up with the same headache I went to bed with last night, and all the medicine I took to help did nothing other than make me sick to my stomach, we decided to delay our date day. A date day with babysitting! A dinner of Kobe Beef!!! ARGH!
These headaches are not fun. I have researched them often even went to a Dr. about them in Japan. The medicine that dear man gave me was no stronger than the Tylenol I had been taking, which did nothing anyway.
Apparently there ARE headaches that only hit the left side of the head. That's mine. There are headaches that are PREceded by a few days of depression. Once I learned that, I have noticed the connection the past two times. Ryu assumes that, as Jun says, "You're 48? Wow, Mama, your an adult," they could be hormone related. A lot of help that is. Thanks to Jun, however, I know that ice does help a lot. She heard my head hurt one day in Japan, went to our freezer drawer and got an ice thingy that we NEVER used before then. I thought she was 2 years old and crazy. But then I thought, maybe angels are 2 years old - so tried it and...it HELPED so much!
I have also learned that being outside in the cold is helpful and DOING something rather than sitting around feeling awful is good. I used to clean my house when a headache hit. Today Ryu was using the house to work on some leather things he's making, so, thanks to Jun, I found myself outside with her feeding corn to the neighbors' horses. And, through an offhand comment about our huge burn-pile and the neighbor's offer to help us drag it into their horse area (no trees or electrical lines) and burn it, had a few hours free of pain and we got something BIG done!
But, now I am home, Jun is in bed, no class tonight, but no energy to do much of anything. So, I'll go put some frozen corn in a zip-lock bag, ice my head and...read everyone else's blogs, I guess!
These headaches are not fun. I have researched them often even went to a Dr. about them in Japan. The medicine that dear man gave me was no stronger than the Tylenol I had been taking, which did nothing anyway.
Apparently there ARE headaches that only hit the left side of the head. That's mine. There are headaches that are PREceded by a few days of depression. Once I learned that, I have noticed the connection the past two times. Ryu assumes that, as Jun says, "You're 48? Wow, Mama, your an adult," they could be hormone related. A lot of help that is. Thanks to Jun, however, I know that ice does help a lot. She heard my head hurt one day in Japan, went to our freezer drawer and got an ice thingy that we NEVER used before then. I thought she was 2 years old and crazy. But then I thought, maybe angels are 2 years old - so tried it and...it HELPED so much!
I have also learned that being outside in the cold is helpful and DOING something rather than sitting around feeling awful is good. I used to clean my house when a headache hit. Today Ryu was using the house to work on some leather things he's making, so, thanks to Jun, I found myself outside with her feeding corn to the neighbors' horses. And, through an offhand comment about our huge burn-pile and the neighbor's offer to help us drag it into their horse area (no trees or electrical lines) and burn it, had a few hours free of pain and we got something BIG done!
But, now I am home, Jun is in bed, no class tonight, but no energy to do much of anything. So, I'll go put some frozen corn in a zip-lock bag, ice my head and...read everyone else's blogs, I guess!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
So, How's It Working Out?
Well, just a few updates on posts I've written this month!
The "Fall Five." Well, I don't know if I've lost any weight - we are scaleless at our home, so I will have to check over Thanksgiving. I HAVE exercised every day this month - so far. If raking leaves counts, that is! And Jun is QUITE cute as she mimics the women on the workout DVD's and puts on her socks and indoor tennis shoes, lays out her pink blankie in place of the mat and rolls up the blue blankie to use as a "It's called a ROLL Mama!" She tells me what a great workout this or that DVD is. This morning she was rather upset that we didn't have a weight bench for her to lay on to do her stomach crunches - like the girl on the DVD. LOL! But, I do feel less hungry in the evenings and not eating a snack right before bed is sure to help me loose the "fall five!"
On the 2nd I wrote about the Comforter Cover remake. Let me just tell you, IT IS HEAVEN!!! And, maybe because one side is blanket, the comforter doesn't slip down towards the bottom of the cover at all! YEAH!
I wrote a bit about Ryu's English class on the 3rd. I may have mentioned his teacher is Japanese from Hiroshima! She's married to an American and they have a little boy. I hope to meet them next week!
Thanks for the anniversary greetings for our 9th year (on the 4th). We will be going, childless, to a Kobe Steak Dinner on Saturday! YEAH! I was joking with a friend. On "dates" I guess you aren't supposed to talk about kids or work. Well, OF COURSE we will talk about those things! And our dreams for our future together!
I can't believe no one guessed that we were at Cabelas! WHAT? Don't we seem like Cabela kind of people? Folks, they have FREE FUDGE samples! Of course we are Cabelas people!
Butterscotch chips, sprinkles, peanuts, chocolate chips - Jun asks for one of them at every meal and requests that we speak Japanese! So we DO! And the upside? She interrupts us a WHOLE lot less than she used to! And, raisins were accepted this evening - I finished off the peanuts in a hunger frenzy yesterday. Oops - fall five!!!
Tsugi kara, tsugi he - well, I have been trying to walk/wade through "not so goods." And rejoice when the MOUSE IS CAUGHT!!! And it was!
Winter time - I am SO loving it to be light when I get up in the morning! What a wonderful wonderful thing!!!
Eiken - thanks, Helen for your advice. I spoke with a student of mine who is also an English teacher. With her and Helen's input, I have a much better idea of what I can do! Thanks!
Working Independently - Let's just say, after posting about Homeschooling going so well, I really WASN'T surprised that today was a complete bust! Neither Jun nor I could get into it. All the "special air" was gone from our balloon. But, we read a few more chapters about Squanto - wonder if the book is at all based on history - and I went back to bed for a bit! Oh well, tomorrow is another day in our journey - right?
Thanksgiving: Jun and I will meet my Dad for lunch tomorrow! I'm SOOO glad we live so close-about an hours drive for both of us! And will probably learn how field corn is harvested in the morning! I LOVE living in farm country! Just DON'T make me do horses!
The "Fall Five." Well, I don't know if I've lost any weight - we are scaleless at our home, so I will have to check over Thanksgiving. I HAVE exercised every day this month - so far. If raking leaves counts, that is! And Jun is QUITE cute as she mimics the women on the workout DVD's and puts on her socks and indoor tennis shoes, lays out her pink blankie in place of the mat and rolls up the blue blankie to use as a "It's called a ROLL Mama!" She tells me what a great workout this or that DVD is. This morning she was rather upset that we didn't have a weight bench for her to lay on to do her stomach crunches - like the girl on the DVD. LOL! But, I do feel less hungry in the evenings and not eating a snack right before bed is sure to help me loose the "fall five!"
On the 2nd I wrote about the Comforter Cover remake. Let me just tell you, IT IS HEAVEN!!! And, maybe because one side is blanket, the comforter doesn't slip down towards the bottom of the cover at all! YEAH!
I wrote a bit about Ryu's English class on the 3rd. I may have mentioned his teacher is Japanese from Hiroshima! She's married to an American and they have a little boy. I hope to meet them next week!
Thanks for the anniversary greetings for our 9th year (on the 4th). We will be going, childless, to a Kobe Steak Dinner on Saturday! YEAH! I was joking with a friend. On "dates" I guess you aren't supposed to talk about kids or work. Well, OF COURSE we will talk about those things! And our dreams for our future together!
I can't believe no one guessed that we were at Cabelas! WHAT? Don't we seem like Cabela kind of people? Folks, they have FREE FUDGE samples! Of course we are Cabelas people!
Butterscotch chips, sprinkles, peanuts, chocolate chips - Jun asks for one of them at every meal and requests that we speak Japanese! So we DO! And the upside? She interrupts us a WHOLE lot less than she used to! And, raisins were accepted this evening - I finished off the peanuts in a hunger frenzy yesterday. Oops - fall five!!!
Tsugi kara, tsugi he - well, I have been trying to walk/wade through "not so goods." And rejoice when the MOUSE IS CAUGHT!!! And it was!
Winter time - I am SO loving it to be light when I get up in the morning! What a wonderful wonderful thing!!!
Eiken - thanks, Helen for your advice. I spoke with a student of mine who is also an English teacher. With her and Helen's input, I have a much better idea of what I can do! Thanks!
Working Independently - Let's just say, after posting about Homeschooling going so well, I really WASN'T surprised that today was a complete bust! Neither Jun nor I could get into it. All the "special air" was gone from our balloon. But, we read a few more chapters about Squanto - wonder if the book is at all based on history - and I went back to bed for a bit! Oh well, tomorrow is another day in our journey - right?
Thanksgiving: Jun and I will meet my Dad for lunch tomorrow! I'm SOOO glad we live so close-about an hours drive for both of us! And will probably learn how field corn is harvested in the morning! I LOVE living in farm country! Just DON'T make me do horses!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Tsugi kara tsugi he
Kind of means, "One thing after another." Or, "If it isn't one thing, it's the next."
Kind of means, "Our friend fixed our leaking toilet and now the shower leaks - again."
Kind of means, "I got the bird (25ish lb. turkey) cooked and delivered, and this afternoon a mouse made its appearance under the desk where I am NOW SITTING!"
Kind of means, "After all the laundry we took to grandma's, why is there a full laundry basket at HOME?"
Kind of means, "When I made Jun wear her nice new white tennis shoes to church, why didn't I make her take them OFF before she went outside and played in the MUD?"
Kind of means, "When you bounce a check, your library book turns up overdue too."
Kind of means, "When your car gets a new transmission, you freak out when the anti-lock brakes shake the whole car on a rainy day."
Kind of means: Life is a journey. With mountains and valleys. Rivers and deserts. And if you spend time, like I have today, reviewing all the less than great stuff, you will run out of energy to deal with the less than great stuff that is sure to come tomorrow. Because, life is a journey! Even when it rains!
Thankful? Hmmm. For the sweet little girl in the beautiful dress, with a dirty face who sat on my lap at church tonight and gave me a hug. I don't even know her name. But she was sure a touch of sunshine! Nope - not Jun. Another of God's angels!
Kind of means, "Our friend fixed our leaking toilet and now the shower leaks - again."
Kind of means, "I got the bird (25ish lb. turkey) cooked and delivered, and this afternoon a mouse made its appearance under the desk where I am NOW SITTING!"
Kind of means, "After all the laundry we took to grandma's, why is there a full laundry basket at HOME?"
Kind of means, "When I made Jun wear her nice new white tennis shoes to church, why didn't I make her take them OFF before she went outside and played in the MUD?"
Kind of means, "When you bounce a check, your library book turns up overdue too."
Kind of means, "When your car gets a new transmission, you freak out when the anti-lock brakes shake the whole car on a rainy day."
Kind of means: Life is a journey. With mountains and valleys. Rivers and deserts. And if you spend time, like I have today, reviewing all the less than great stuff, you will run out of energy to deal with the less than great stuff that is sure to come tomorrow. Because, life is a journey! Even when it rains!
Thankful? Hmmm. For the sweet little girl in the beautiful dress, with a dirty face who sat on my lap at church tonight and gave me a hug. I don't even know her name. But she was sure a touch of sunshine! Nope - not Jun. Another of God's angels!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Our Trip to the Super MARKET
Jun is trying her best to read. Today we went to the local MARKET that has CARTS for kids. First she sounded out MARKET. However, she has been taught that "a" makes the sound in "cat." Try saying "MARKET" with THAT sound.
Then we went to get the kid's cart. Now, did Mama have a LOT of shopping to do, or just a little. There are two sizes of kiddie shopping carts. We got the bigger one.
Then she pushed it all through the store. Only getting distracted by the hula hoops and summer toys.
We went to the register lady we always go to. She is getting to recognize us by now. Jun unloaded almost all of the groceries onto the conveyor belt and made sure the lady didn't FORGET the last two items!
Then, suddenly, out of thin air, Jun says to the register lady, "I DON'T have a husband, but I DO have a FATHER." The lady and I looked at each other and laughed and laughed as silently as we could!
Then we went to get the kid's cart. Now, did Mama have a LOT of shopping to do, or just a little. There are two sizes of kiddie shopping carts. We got the bigger one.
Then she pushed it all through the store. Only getting distracted by the hula hoops and summer toys.
We went to the register lady we always go to. She is getting to recognize us by now. Jun unloaded almost all of the groceries onto the conveyor belt and made sure the lady didn't FORGET the last two items!
Then, suddenly, out of thin air, Jun says to the register lady, "I DON'T have a husband, but I DO have a FATHER." The lady and I looked at each other and laughed and laughed as silently as we could!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Praise
This morning I woke up and my sore throat had just become worse. It's a good kind of cold. Not the kind that embarrasses you in public and makes you cough or scramble around for a tissue or shirt sleeve. But it is the kind that makes you want everyone to stop talking to you because your THROAT HURTS!
So, I was about to enter into "Poor Poor Kim" mode when I had a few solitary minutes and decided to pick up the devotional that Ryu and I read each day. Well, he reads the excerpts from the Bible on his way to work and I read the story the writer writes. Anyway, today's story said, "Don't feel sorry for yourself when you are tired or sick. The pit of self-pity is too hard to get out of once you fall in it. Instead, praise and worship God." "Oh!" I thought, as I often do when I read this devotional. "Someone is looking over my shoulder again!" So, I put on a praise CD and have remembered this throughout the day.
I have to say that it was particularly important to remember this when I was carrying 13.8 kilos of sleeping almost-4-year-old across town pushing a tricycle. But then, suddenly I became quite impressed with myself. I'm THIS old and still have the "body" to haul sleeping Jun across town and up 4 flights of stairs. Heh, heh! I'm better than I thought!
So, I put said child to sleep. Waited for my breath to return to normal and my breathing to slow down, then I ate a ton of candied ginger that I BELIEVE is good for my sore throat and had some "me" time!
I'm glad I didn't take my usual route of self-pity. It never seems to bring sympathy from those nearest and dearest to me, anyway. And I had a great day, saw friends, went to the park, had breakfast out...ETC!
Wonder what tomorrow's devotional will be!
So, I was about to enter into "Poor Poor Kim" mode when I had a few solitary minutes and decided to pick up the devotional that Ryu and I read each day. Well, he reads the excerpts from the Bible on his way to work and I read the story the writer writes. Anyway, today's story said, "Don't feel sorry for yourself when you are tired or sick. The pit of self-pity is too hard to get out of once you fall in it. Instead, praise and worship God." "Oh!" I thought, as I often do when I read this devotional. "Someone is looking over my shoulder again!" So, I put on a praise CD and have remembered this throughout the day.
I have to say that it was particularly important to remember this when I was carrying 13.8 kilos of sleeping almost-4-year-old across town pushing a tricycle. But then, suddenly I became quite impressed with myself. I'm THIS old and still have the "body" to haul sleeping Jun across town and up 4 flights of stairs. Heh, heh! I'm better than I thought!
So, I put said child to sleep. Waited for my breath to return to normal and my breathing to slow down, then I ate a ton of candied ginger that I BELIEVE is good for my sore throat and had some "me" time!
I'm glad I didn't take my usual route of self-pity. It never seems to bring sympathy from those nearest and dearest to me, anyway. And I had a great day, saw friends, went to the park, had breakfast out...ETC!
Wonder what tomorrow's devotional will be!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
30 Hours of Confusion
First, please remember we live in Japan. A very safe country. And remember (if you ever knew) that I lived in L.A. for 5 years and never felt like I was living in a safe country.
The other morning a neighbor from down the hall was going to come over to learn to make granola. She was a bit late, so I sent Jun down to bring her over. She came to our apt. with no Jun. Jun decided to stay and watch the Olympics with her husband. I felt a little uneasy as I didn't want Jun to bother him, and she had never been there alone, but my friend said it would be fine. He has three grandkids and wouldn't mind.
So, we made granola and chatted. When we were about done, I looked at the clock and realized it had been over an hour that Jun had been visiting. About then she came running in the door with a jar of my friend's son's hair wax. Hmmm. "How well is this child being supervised?" I wondered. But, as we finished packing my friends' stuff up, Jun went running back to her apt. A few minutes later, when we reached her door, I expected to have to extract Jun from the apt. by firm words or a potato sack carry. Instead, when we got there, Jun came running out the door and ran by herself all the way to our apartment. I said a quick good-bye and headed home.
When I got there, Jun was furiously taking off her coat and shoes. Suddenly she says, "A strange man is going to hit me over the head with a stick!" And jumped into my arms. I said my famous, "Huh?" But, as I "huh?" Jun I am always thinking. Does she even know the words for "hit" and "stick" in Japanese (she was talking to me in English, but all our apartment friends speak to her in Japanese)?
I didn't want to lead her active imagination down lanes it hadn't already been, but wanted to know how and where she had heard of this. Nothing came clear that whole day. I did ask if my friend's husband had touched her head. "Yes," she said. "He patted my head and said 'good girl.'" Well, that is very Japanese and nothing to worry about. Then I decided to test the waters and we made a quick package of things to bring to our friend that I had forgotten to give her. Jun was very eager to run back to the apartment to give them to her - so I figured nothing bad had happened to Jun at the apartment. However, Jun was in a rotten mood all day and got put to bed very happily by all at 6:30.
I'd wanted Ryu to talk to Jun about it in Japanese, as she wouldn't talk with me about it in Japanese - to see what was actually said, but he wasn't home early enough that night and left before Jun woke up the next morning.
So, I just happened to talk to another Mom friend about it the next day. "Oh," she said, "It sounds like someone telling a child to go STRAIGHT home or the "oni" (demon) will get them." With a bit of variation, like a strange man hitting you over the head with a stick.
That made great sense to me. Later that evening Jun and Daddy talked about it, and it seems that was what happened. Though we don't use fear to encourage her to do things - at least I don't think we do - she still believes a strange man wants to hit her on the head with a stick.
The other morning a neighbor from down the hall was going to come over to learn to make granola. She was a bit late, so I sent Jun down to bring her over. She came to our apt. with no Jun. Jun decided to stay and watch the Olympics with her husband. I felt a little uneasy as I didn't want Jun to bother him, and she had never been there alone, but my friend said it would be fine. He has three grandkids and wouldn't mind.
So, we made granola and chatted. When we were about done, I looked at the clock and realized it had been over an hour that Jun had been visiting. About then she came running in the door with a jar of my friend's son's hair wax. Hmmm. "How well is this child being supervised?" I wondered. But, as we finished packing my friends' stuff up, Jun went running back to her apt. A few minutes later, when we reached her door, I expected to have to extract Jun from the apt. by firm words or a potato sack carry. Instead, when we got there, Jun came running out the door and ran by herself all the way to our apartment. I said a quick good-bye and headed home.
When I got there, Jun was furiously taking off her coat and shoes. Suddenly she says, "A strange man is going to hit me over the head with a stick!" And jumped into my arms. I said my famous, "Huh?" But, as I "huh?" Jun I am always thinking. Does she even know the words for "hit" and "stick" in Japanese (she was talking to me in English, but all our apartment friends speak to her in Japanese)?
I didn't want to lead her active imagination down lanes it hadn't already been, but wanted to know how and where she had heard of this. Nothing came clear that whole day. I did ask if my friend's husband had touched her head. "Yes," she said. "He patted my head and said 'good girl.'" Well, that is very Japanese and nothing to worry about. Then I decided to test the waters and we made a quick package of things to bring to our friend that I had forgotten to give her. Jun was very eager to run back to the apartment to give them to her - so I figured nothing bad had happened to Jun at the apartment. However, Jun was in a rotten mood all day and got put to bed very happily by all at 6:30.
I'd wanted Ryu to talk to Jun about it in Japanese, as she wouldn't talk with me about it in Japanese - to see what was actually said, but he wasn't home early enough that night and left before Jun woke up the next morning.
So, I just happened to talk to another Mom friend about it the next day. "Oh," she said, "It sounds like someone telling a child to go STRAIGHT home or the "oni" (demon) will get them." With a bit of variation, like a strange man hitting you over the head with a stick.
That made great sense to me. Later that evening Jun and Daddy talked about it, and it seems that was what happened. Though we don't use fear to encourage her to do things - at least I don't think we do - she still believes a strange man wants to hit her on the head with a stick.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Where Are You?
One of our most used e-mails to Ryu is, "Where are YOU?" It's the first thing Jun says when she talks to him on the phone.
Well, this morning Ryu left at about 8:45 to deliver a box to some friends and head to Tokyo. We saw him off in our pajamas sitting at the kitchen table. Have I mentioned how HAPPY I am to have this kitchen table and how I can't imagine how we lived without one for so long? I will be sorry to say good-bye to this piece of furniture, but a friend says she will take it.
Anyway, as Jun and I were eating the last piece of bread with the "oh my goodness! We still have HAM in the fridge?" and cookies as we were out of milk and didn't think dry granola with mugicha (wheat tea) would do the trick, my cell phone rang.
Ryu - "Where are you?"
Me - HUH? I'm at home.
Ryu - You're at home?
Me - Yes. Sitting right here in the kitchen where you left me 20 min. ago.
Ryu - You're eating something?
Me - ???? Yes. Cookies.
Ryu - You're at home?
Me - ??????!!!! Yes! Why?
Ryu - I thought I just saw you a little ways away on the street. I thought you might have left already for class. I waved to you and said, "hi, Sweetie," and you glared at me and didn't answer.
Me - Not me honey! I'm sitting here in my pajamas eating the last of the cookies!
He finally believed I hadn't given him the cold shoulder on the street and that instead he had "made rude advances" to a total stranger. He will be getting glasses before we move to the US! LOL!
Well, this morning Ryu left at about 8:45 to deliver a box to some friends and head to Tokyo. We saw him off in our pajamas sitting at the kitchen table. Have I mentioned how HAPPY I am to have this kitchen table and how I can't imagine how we lived without one for so long? I will be sorry to say good-bye to this piece of furniture, but a friend says she will take it.
Anyway, as Jun and I were eating the last piece of bread with the "oh my goodness! We still have HAM in the fridge?" and cookies as we were out of milk and didn't think dry granola with mugicha (wheat tea) would do the trick, my cell phone rang.
Ryu - "Where are you?"
Me - HUH? I'm at home.
Ryu - You're at home?
Me - Yes. Sitting right here in the kitchen where you left me 20 min. ago.
Ryu - You're eating something?
Me - ???? Yes. Cookies.
Ryu - You're at home?
Me - ??????!!!! Yes! Why?
Ryu - I thought I just saw you a little ways away on the street. I thought you might have left already for class. I waved to you and said, "hi, Sweetie," and you glared at me and didn't answer.
Me - Not me honey! I'm sitting here in my pajamas eating the last of the cookies!
He finally believed I hadn't given him the cold shoulder on the street and that instead he had "made rude advances" to a total stranger. He will be getting glasses before we move to the US! LOL!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
And I Had NOTHING to Say!!!
Today I was sooo tired. The Tuesday after the Magic Monday. I continued the "find junk and toss and find stuff to give away" task, but cancelled other plans. Then it suddenly became SPRING in our area. Seriously, April's weather! So, Jun and I had lunch on the balcony. Then, we decided to just run down to the church to pick something up.
Well, once we got me to the church, I relented and we went to the park nearby. The weather was so wonderful. Then, when the little kids all started to go home, I relented again, and we went to the BIG park to meet all our friends. However, we went by bus rather than me pushing Jun in the stroller.
When we got to the park we strolled - OK, Jun sprinted - down the walk. Did I say it was such a BEAUTIFUL DAY? Jun was in a short sleeved shirt and sock-less. I had my sweat shirt tied around my waist. And Jun ran down the walk. Following her with my eyes, I noticed a couple of guys with a big old camera at the side of the path. Hmmmm. Are they taking a video of MY daughter? Is there a law about this???
Well, when I got up to the big camera, they stopped me and asked if I would give them an interview. Who are you? NHK - the national TV channel. About WHAT? I asked. About the nice weather. OK. So, I corralled Jun hoping she would be cute and say something like, "Oh this weather is so nice." No go. She got all Shy? and made stupid ... er funny? faces at the camera while I tried to say something about the amazing weather. About the weather! Really, what could I say? It was a beautiful day! How many different ways can you comment on the weather?
Sigh, it was a pretty sad interview - but-really!!! What is there to say about the weather? It's a sunny sunny day?!?!
So, if anyone else wants to interview me spontaneously about a rather OBVIOUS topic, please give me ample notice and remind me to leave my cute kid at home! LOL (Laugh out loud)
Well, once we got me to the church, I relented and we went to the park nearby. The weather was so wonderful. Then, when the little kids all started to go home, I relented again, and we went to the BIG park to meet all our friends. However, we went by bus rather than me pushing Jun in the stroller.
When we got to the park we strolled - OK, Jun sprinted - down the walk. Did I say it was such a BEAUTIFUL DAY? Jun was in a short sleeved shirt and sock-less. I had my sweat shirt tied around my waist. And Jun ran down the walk. Following her with my eyes, I noticed a couple of guys with a big old camera at the side of the path. Hmmmm. Are they taking a video of MY daughter? Is there a law about this???
Well, when I got up to the big camera, they stopped me and asked if I would give them an interview. Who are you? NHK - the national TV channel. About WHAT? I asked. About the nice weather. OK. So, I corralled Jun hoping she would be cute and say something like, "Oh this weather is so nice." No go. She got all Shy? and made stupid ... er funny? faces at the camera while I tried to say something about the amazing weather. About the weather! Really, what could I say? It was a beautiful day! How many different ways can you comment on the weather?
Sigh, it was a pretty sad interview - but-really!!! What is there to say about the weather? It's a sunny sunny day?!?!
So, if anyone else wants to interview me spontaneously about a rather OBVIOUS topic, please give me ample notice and remind me to leave my cute kid at home! LOL (Laugh out loud)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Is Multi-Tasking all that it Advertises?
After a nice day with Jun on Monday, I began to think about why Jun's pace was so restful, though we traveled all over Tokyo.
First, we didn't run, but ambled. That helped. And, unlike at home, we just did one thing at a time. I wasn't running around doing laundry, cleaning the kitchen, making granola, working on the computer, etc, etc. at the same time that I was asking her to help fold the socks and clean up her books and and and and. We just did one thing at a time. When we got off the train, we started to look for the next one. Got off the bus, looked for the station, etc. One thing at a time.
My husband is, as another blogger recently wrote about HER husband, a man with great tunnel vision. Though it drives me crazy at times, he DOES finish one task before starting another. Now, I think I can get LOTS more done in one day than he does...but NOTHING is completely finished.
So, though I've been a bit proud of my ability to multi-task, and really enjoy the exhilaration of being BUSY and USING my time fully...I think I've been deceiving myself. The stress I felt on Sunday was a good reminder. I have a few long months (years?) to go before our family is fully settled in the US. Running at top speed and in circles won't be helpful!
That being said, I think multi-tasking is a habit that is a bit hard to break. My husband says women HAVE to multi-task. Well, probably not all women, but if one is to do child care, work part time and have dinner on the table at night, some multi-tasking is necessary...but I would rather have peace than a clean house. (Ryu might have other opinions on this! HAHAH!)
So, one step at a time. I'll try to pace myself and enjoy the journey of our international move and relocation and "new life." And NOT stress my child out in the process!!!
First, we didn't run, but ambled. That helped. And, unlike at home, we just did one thing at a time. I wasn't running around doing laundry, cleaning the kitchen, making granola, working on the computer, etc, etc. at the same time that I was asking her to help fold the socks and clean up her books and and and and. We just did one thing at a time. When we got off the train, we started to look for the next one. Got off the bus, looked for the station, etc. One thing at a time.
My husband is, as another blogger recently wrote about HER husband, a man with great tunnel vision. Though it drives me crazy at times, he DOES finish one task before starting another. Now, I think I can get LOTS more done in one day than he does...but NOTHING is completely finished.
So, though I've been a bit proud of my ability to multi-task, and really enjoy the exhilaration of being BUSY and USING my time fully...I think I've been deceiving myself. The stress I felt on Sunday was a good reminder. I have a few long months (years?) to go before our family is fully settled in the US. Running at top speed and in circles won't be helpful!
That being said, I think multi-tasking is a habit that is a bit hard to break. My husband says women HAVE to multi-task. Well, probably not all women, but if one is to do child care, work part time and have dinner on the table at night, some multi-tasking is necessary...but I would rather have peace than a clean house. (Ryu might have other opinions on this! HAHAH!)
So, one step at a time. I'll try to pace myself and enjoy the journey of our international move and relocation and "new life." And NOT stress my child out in the process!!!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Jun's Pace
The "things" of last week are nearly over - Dr.'s visits, I mean. Jun got her last shot today and didn't cry again! Ryu will be done with the dentist after only ONE more visit! He usually takes...many visits to finish. I'm healthy, happy, and hopefully a bit wise.
About five people want to study English with me via Skype, so far. Once we move to the US. That will be lots of fun to see their faces and hear their voices each week!
After running at full hilt for a week, I was feeling the stress. However, today I ended up living at Jun's pace.
I got her up early and we left in time to amble slowly to the train station. There we rode 3 crowded - read rush hour crowded, how do they fit so many people in a train? - crowded trains. So, I held all 13.8 kilos of her. I haven't done that for awhile. My arms feel like spaghetti. However, I remembered all the wonderful times I had her in my sling and we could talk face to face. Jun and I were the ONLY ones talking on the trains. And it was wonderful! Her sweet smile and voice so excited on a train that really everyone wishes they weren't on. Good Morning, Japan!
Then we had time for a muffin before catching the bus to the Dr.'s Where we read books about bears and pigs and relaxed between visits with doctors and needles. Then we caught another bus for a leisurely tour to Shinjuku - city bus, but I love buses to see the "downtown streets" in the Tokyo area. Then we took a fast train where I "upped" Jun again so she could watch the driver and we could chat and guess what each button and lever were for.
We had one of those relaxing visits at a friends' that comes too seldom. One where, even though your kiddo doesn't eat what is put before them and nearly breaks the TV remote - teaching the owner what THAT button means - and strews marbles all over the floor that thankfully no one fell over...etc... your friends don't mind! What a relief! Thanks, Friends!!!!!
Then a trip home with an obento (lunch) big enough to feed us for dinner.
I hope I can clean the house, do the laundry, go to the park, teach a class, etc. tomorrow at Jun's pace again. It seems to be much healthier of a pace than the one I am apt to choose.
About five people want to study English with me via Skype, so far. Once we move to the US. That will be lots of fun to see their faces and hear their voices each week!
After running at full hilt for a week, I was feeling the stress. However, today I ended up living at Jun's pace.
I got her up early and we left in time to amble slowly to the train station. There we rode 3 crowded - read rush hour crowded, how do they fit so many people in a train? - crowded trains. So, I held all 13.8 kilos of her. I haven't done that for awhile. My arms feel like spaghetti. However, I remembered all the wonderful times I had her in my sling and we could talk face to face. Jun and I were the ONLY ones talking on the trains. And it was wonderful! Her sweet smile and voice so excited on a train that really everyone wishes they weren't on. Good Morning, Japan!
Then we had time for a muffin before catching the bus to the Dr.'s Where we read books about bears and pigs and relaxed between visits with doctors and needles. Then we caught another bus for a leisurely tour to Shinjuku - city bus, but I love buses to see the "downtown streets" in the Tokyo area. Then we took a fast train where I "upped" Jun again so she could watch the driver and we could chat and guess what each button and lever were for.
We had one of those relaxing visits at a friends' that comes too seldom. One where, even though your kiddo doesn't eat what is put before them and nearly breaks the TV remote - teaching the owner what THAT button means - and strews marbles all over the floor that thankfully no one fell over...etc... your friends don't mind! What a relief! Thanks, Friends!!!!!
Then a trip home with an obento (lunch) big enough to feed us for dinner.
I hope I can clean the house, do the laundry, go to the park, teach a class, etc. tomorrow at Jun's pace again. It seems to be much healthier of a pace than the one I am apt to choose.
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