For any of you who have expressed interest in scrapbooking, I want to let you know that I am starting to have workshops at my house every month. Each month, I will have a theme. This month's theme is "Let's Get Organized."
The hardest step to starting a photo album is to locate the photos you want to use! CM provides us with several photo-safe products to help us organize our photos. Once you organize your photos, you are on your way to making great albums. And whenever you need a certain photo from April 2004, you will know just where to go!
December dates are as follows:
Tuesday 12/12 2:00-6:00
Friday 12/15 10:00-2:00
Although both workshops are 4 hours long, you do not need to be there the whole time. Workshops are a come-and-go thing.
The cost of attending a workshop is 1000 yen. You get a workspace, free use of my tools and the chance to purchase some products individually as you work.
I do encourage you to bring stuff to work on. If there are certain things you need, please order them ahead of time so they can be ready for you when you arrive at the workshop. Otherwise, you can put in an order while at the workshop. Several things will be available for purchasing on the spot.
If you are an absolute beginner, I would encourage you to coordinate a home class or to attend a workshop especially for beginners. Of course, I will be able to teach you individually at a workshop, if one of the other options doesn't work for you.
For more details about what to bring and how to get here, please email me privately.
What is a home class?
A home class can take place at your house, another place of your choosing, or even at my house. If you act as a coordinator, you would be in charge of inviting people to the class, collecting 1000 yen from each participant, and "hosting" the class.
Home classes are 2 hours long, and participants are asked to bring 5-10 photos of the same theme (wedding, party, trip, etc), so that they can make 1 page. I will teach the step-by-step process of making the page by teaching how to use the cropping tools, lay out techniques & journaling. Plus, I will provide all the materials you need to make this page!
Participants are under no obligation to purchase any products from Creative Memories, but they do get a catalog to take home, in case they decide to purchase at a later date. The coordinator receives a couple of free gifts for hosting the class, and there is the opportunity to receive a free album depending on how much her particpants order.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
MIL Back Again; Steals Thunder
Ah, another story about my MIL.
Last week was our 5-year wedding anniversary. I wasn't expecting anything special, but my husband and I had plans to eat dinner at a fancy-schmancy restaurant on the weekend. We were intending to use the gift certificates we had received from someone last Christmas.
Anywho, just after I got home on Thursday night, the night in question, I received a very rare phone call from my MIL. She said she would be dropping something off in a few minutes. I assumed that it had something do with our anniversary, as in the years past, she has always left something on our doorstep.
Let's see, one year, I believe it was the red-bean rice stuff, which my husband loves, but I refuse to make. Honestly, I don't remember the other gifts, but I know she has always acknowledged the day in some way.
So, this time, she dropped off a bag, but did not come into the house. As usual, she refused to come past the genkan (so Max was really peeved about that. He thought Grandma had come over to play with him!), and she came and left in a whirlwind.
I opened the bag to find a bouquet of flowers and a cake. The cake had one of those little signs which says "Happy Wedding Anniversary" on it. Touching. It suddenly occurred to me that I, myself, should be giving Suk some kind of gift, but I had not prepared anything. Oh well. (He is getting an iPod for Christmas, so I am doing my part, at least.)
Then, a couple of hours later, I get a phone call from Suk. He wants to come home early to eat dinner together and celebrate our anniversary. How rare! He informs me that he is stopping at a bakery in Ginza to pick up ... you guessed it ... a cake.
Now, I did not mention the fact that his mom had already dropped off a cake. I was just so flattered that he had thought ahead, and that he was actually going to get a cake BEFORE getting on a train. There's a first time for everything, and to be perfectly honest, I would much rather receive a cake from my husband on our anniversary than from my MIL. I did not avoid telling him just so I could eat 2 cakes. That was the LAST thing I wanted.
Suk came home and was quite proud of himself for getting the cake. I made a Japanese-style dinner, and after eating, it was time for dessert. I let him know that his mom had brought over a gift and he should open it. Guess what! A cake!
Guess what his reaction was?
Anger.
Somehow, all of this became my fault because now we would have to eat TWO cakes. Well, I was thinking, but did not say, that it was quite strange that his mom brought over flowers and a cake. I mean, isn't that supposed to be HIS job as the husband? Does she think he is married to her? Does she think that giving us romantic gifts is appropriate?
Immediately, Suk called his mom to thank her for the gifts and tell her how delicious the cake was. But, as soon as he got off the phone, he tore me a new ass because I had been so "selfish" not to tell him. And then, he said we would have to eat BOTH of cakes and how terrible that is.
While eating the cake from her, I asked him if he even likes this kind of cake. "No!" Well, me either. As soon as that cake was eaten, he opened up the box of cakes he had brought from Tokyo. There were 4 pieces in there, and he demanded that I eat at least one of them and save the other for breakfast.
I tried to tell him about how my stomach has decreased in size and I really can't eat as much as I used to. I am so full. Please don't make me eat this, but the look on his face told me to just shut up and eat it.
Then, he said in a sarcastic tone (inherited from me, I am sure), "You should just be happy that my mom remembers our anniversary every year. So, what did your parents give us for our anniversary?"
"A card with $20 in it. Remember?"
"Oh."
Last week was our 5-year wedding anniversary. I wasn't expecting anything special, but my husband and I had plans to eat dinner at a fancy-schmancy restaurant on the weekend. We were intending to use the gift certificates we had received from someone last Christmas.
Anywho, just after I got home on Thursday night, the night in question, I received a very rare phone call from my MIL. She said she would be dropping something off in a few minutes. I assumed that it had something do with our anniversary, as in the years past, she has always left something on our doorstep.
Let's see, one year, I believe it was the red-bean rice stuff, which my husband loves, but I refuse to make. Honestly, I don't remember the other gifts, but I know she has always acknowledged the day in some way.
So, this time, she dropped off a bag, but did not come into the house. As usual, she refused to come past the genkan (so Max was really peeved about that. He thought Grandma had come over to play with him!), and she came and left in a whirlwind.
I opened the bag to find a bouquet of flowers and a cake. The cake had one of those little signs which says "Happy Wedding Anniversary" on it. Touching. It suddenly occurred to me that I, myself, should be giving Suk some kind of gift, but I had not prepared anything. Oh well. (He is getting an iPod for Christmas, so I am doing my part, at least.)
Then, a couple of hours later, I get a phone call from Suk. He wants to come home early to eat dinner together and celebrate our anniversary. How rare! He informs me that he is stopping at a bakery in Ginza to pick up ... you guessed it ... a cake.
Now, I did not mention the fact that his mom had already dropped off a cake. I was just so flattered that he had thought ahead, and that he was actually going to get a cake BEFORE getting on a train. There's a first time for everything, and to be perfectly honest, I would much rather receive a cake from my husband on our anniversary than from my MIL. I did not avoid telling him just so I could eat 2 cakes. That was the LAST thing I wanted.
Suk came home and was quite proud of himself for getting the cake. I made a Japanese-style dinner, and after eating, it was time for dessert. I let him know that his mom had brought over a gift and he should open it. Guess what! A cake!
Guess what his reaction was?
Anger.
Somehow, all of this became my fault because now we would have to eat TWO cakes. Well, I was thinking, but did not say, that it was quite strange that his mom brought over flowers and a cake. I mean, isn't that supposed to be HIS job as the husband? Does she think he is married to her? Does she think that giving us romantic gifts is appropriate?
Immediately, Suk called his mom to thank her for the gifts and tell her how delicious the cake was. But, as soon as he got off the phone, he tore me a new ass because I had been so "selfish" not to tell him. And then, he said we would have to eat BOTH of cakes and how terrible that is.
While eating the cake from her, I asked him if he even likes this kind of cake. "No!" Well, me either. As soon as that cake was eaten, he opened up the box of cakes he had brought from Tokyo. There were 4 pieces in there, and he demanded that I eat at least one of them and save the other for breakfast.
I tried to tell him about how my stomach has decreased in size and I really can't eat as much as I used to. I am so full. Please don't make me eat this, but the look on his face told me to just shut up and eat it.
Then, he said in a sarcastic tone (inherited from me, I am sure), "You should just be happy that my mom remembers our anniversary every year. So, what did your parents give us for our anniversary?"
"A card with $20 in it. Remember?"
"Oh."
Thursday, November 09, 2006
True Irony at home
Here is a weird chain of events that occurred just the other night.
Went out to dinner with a friend and her husband.
Came home at 8pm.
Intended to feed and walk dog immediately.
Phone rang. It was a relatively new friend.
(By the way, any phone call from a friend is such a rarity that I find it impossible to say to that person, "Look, I am really busy right now. Can I call you back later?")
So, we chatted for an hour, while became so engrossed in the conversation that I paid no attention to Max.
Hung up the phone.
Fed the dog.
Went to bedroom to change into more comfy clothes for walking.
Noticed that tennis shoe was sitting on the center of the bed.
Hmmm.
Noticed that there was a large puddle underneath the shoe.
Realized that Max had peed on the bed.
(By the way, this is not the first time. It happens if I neglect to take him outside when he is expecting it. And, this is the precise reason why I usually keep the bedroom door shut.)
Stripped the bed of its quilt and winter blankets.
Threw the quilt in the washer.
Realized that we would have no blankets, lest I wash and dry them before bedtime.
Took Max outside for walk.
Decided to take blankets to local laundromat so they could be properly washed and dried quickly.
I had 90 minutes to accomplish this since the place closes at 11pm.
I packed the blankets up in my huge Costco bags and loaded them up in the car.
I drove the car (for the first time by myself) to the laundromat.
(By the way, in the past, I would have loaded the blankets onto my bicycle, but my bicycle no longer has working breaks...plus, I am pregnant. Pregnant ladies shouldn't be riding bikes with heavy loads tied onto the back, especially with no breaks.)
I drove without incident.
At the laundromat, while waiting, I sat down to enjoy a good book and to drink a Pocari Sweat (sports drink) from the vending machine.
I called my husband. He asked me where I was. I told him where. He asked me how I got there. I told him how.
He got really angry and tore me a new ass.
I told him I couldn't talk right now, and hung up the phone.
When the blankets had dried, I packed them up in the Costco bags along with my Pocari Sweat, and loaded them into the car.
I drove home without incident.
I took the blankets back up to our place.
I removed them from the bags and re-made the bed.
I noticed a big wet spot on the quilt.
The culprit, this time, was my pocari sweat which had not been closed tightly.
The puddle was in the exact same place that the pee puddle had been.
Noting this example of true irony, I finished making the bed.
A puddle of Pocari Sweat is better than a puddle of pee.
I lay down on the couch to rest a bit before going to bed.
Suk called. He seemed to want to continue tearing me a new ass.
It got ugly...real ugly.
Had I been more careful in the first place, none of this would have happened.
Went out to dinner with a friend and her husband.
Came home at 8pm.
Intended to feed and walk dog immediately.
Phone rang. It was a relatively new friend.
(By the way, any phone call from a friend is such a rarity that I find it impossible to say to that person, "Look, I am really busy right now. Can I call you back later?")
So, we chatted for an hour, while became so engrossed in the conversation that I paid no attention to Max.
Hung up the phone.
Fed the dog.
Went to bedroom to change into more comfy clothes for walking.
Noticed that tennis shoe was sitting on the center of the bed.
Hmmm.
Noticed that there was a large puddle underneath the shoe.
Realized that Max had peed on the bed.
(By the way, this is not the first time. It happens if I neglect to take him outside when he is expecting it. And, this is the precise reason why I usually keep the bedroom door shut.)
Stripped the bed of its quilt and winter blankets.
Threw the quilt in the washer.
Realized that we would have no blankets, lest I wash and dry them before bedtime.
Took Max outside for walk.
Decided to take blankets to local laundromat so they could be properly washed and dried quickly.
I had 90 minutes to accomplish this since the place closes at 11pm.
I packed the blankets up in my huge Costco bags and loaded them up in the car.
I drove the car (for the first time by myself) to the laundromat.
(By the way, in the past, I would have loaded the blankets onto my bicycle, but my bicycle no longer has working breaks...plus, I am pregnant. Pregnant ladies shouldn't be riding bikes with heavy loads tied onto the back, especially with no breaks.)
I drove without incident.
At the laundromat, while waiting, I sat down to enjoy a good book and to drink a Pocari Sweat (sports drink) from the vending machine.
I called my husband. He asked me where I was. I told him where. He asked me how I got there. I told him how.
He got really angry and tore me a new ass.
I told him I couldn't talk right now, and hung up the phone.
When the blankets had dried, I packed them up in the Costco bags along with my Pocari Sweat, and loaded them into the car.
I drove home without incident.
I took the blankets back up to our place.
I removed them from the bags and re-made the bed.
I noticed a big wet spot on the quilt.
The culprit, this time, was my pocari sweat which had not been closed tightly.
The puddle was in the exact same place that the pee puddle had been.
Noting this example of true irony, I finished making the bed.
A puddle of Pocari Sweat is better than a puddle of pee.
I lay down on the couch to rest a bit before going to bed.
Suk called. He seemed to want to continue tearing me a new ass.
It got ugly...real ugly.
Had I been more careful in the first place, none of this would have happened.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Dwarfed Body Parts
This weekend, Suk and I took what we like to think of as our last "getaway". We spent one night in Kamakura at a hotel called The Society. We go there every year, and it had been about 18 months since our last visit.
I made the mistake of not packing any maternity clothes, when I am, in fact, at the point where I need to be wearing maternity, lest I get mistaken for someone who doesn't know how to dress herself.
Since we have a digital camera, I was able to immediately view any photos taken of me among the scenery of Kamakura. Well, to my surprise, I have now developed these humongous boobs, which sort of spread out to each side making way for a little round belly and beneath that, wide hips and big thighs. If I am not mistaken, the wide hips and thighs were there before, but they were not quite as "out there." I started to feel sorry for myself, and I began asking Suk questions like, "Do you think people realize that I am pregnant? Or do you think they just assume I am fat?" Well, I suppose he didn't quite know how to answer this, so he said, "If you had super skinny legs and small breasts, then of course you would look pregnant. But, you don't have super skinny legs and small breasts." Thanks. Ever heard of the simple answer, "Of course you look pregnant, honey? How could people NOT realize that?"
Later that night, we went our separate ways to bathe in the hotel's bath. Suk is lucky because every where you go, there are LESS men around. Sometimes, he is the only one bathing. As for me, there are always lots of women. There are just more of us in this world.
Right away, I started to feel more uncomfortable than usual. I thought the fact that I am pregnant would mean that people would do double-takes at my huger than huge breasts. As if that thought wasn't bad enough. When I got to the changing room, there was a mom with her teenage daughter and (what looked to be) 9-year old son. Okay, 4 or 5 years old is understandable. But 9?
The bath itself was so full that all the shower stalls were occupied, and after my initial rinse, I had to wait over an hour for a shower stall so I could actually wash myself. I waited in the baths, but could only submerge my body in the coolest bath (pregnant women have to take care not to let their bodies get too hot), which was usually full. I finally secured a spot in there after waiting for about 40 minutes. So, I sat on the edge of the other bath with my big boobs hanging around my stomach while that 9-year old boy's mom helped him to shower 4 times. This last sentence will make more sense later in the story.
Now, this whole time, I was not feeling relaxed at all. I should have just left and gone back to the room. But, I was determined to follow through because I like the soap and shampoo that the hotel provides for the showers. Instead, I sat there watching everyone like a hawk until a shower stall opened up. I was practically seething.
Here is what I noticed. These people sure like to waste water. They wash their hair for 20 minutes. Then, they wash their bodies for 20 more minutes. Then, they rinse off and putter around for several more minutes. Finally, they get up and make their way over to the bath for a soak. Before they leave their shower stall, one of their cronies (perhaps a family member or a friend) comes and waits until they're done, and they take over the shower stall. This happened over and over, and often the original water-hog returned to her shower stall after a short soak, and repeated the process all over again. This is what I meant about that 9-year old boy getting washed down by his mom 4 times. While they soaked in the tub together, the teenage daughter was tediously washing her hair and body.
So, finally, I got a shower stall and I tried to take my time, but I just can't seem to stretch a good hair-washing into 20 minutes. And, here is the part where I finally say something funny about the size of my boobs. When naked in a room full of naked women, you cannot help but compare yourself a bit. These Japanese women have breasts about the same size as my husband's. Meanwhile, when I wash, I actually have to lift my breast up in order to wash beneath it. This was not an issue for me before. Now, my breasts have not only grown, but they are also quite heavy, and they dwarf my pregnant belly, which makes me feel even more self-conscious. Okay, back to the ofuro dilemma.
I left the ofuro and went to the changing room, where the little family was still changing their clothes. The 9-year old boy was all dressed and ready to go, but his sister was taking her time. I thought to myself, "Why in the hell is he still hangin' around?" There are about 10 other women in the dressing room all in various states of nakedness, and he is just standing there. Why doesn't his mom tell him to go and wait out by the vending machines?
I made the mistake of not packing any maternity clothes, when I am, in fact, at the point where I need to be wearing maternity, lest I get mistaken for someone who doesn't know how to dress herself.
Since we have a digital camera, I was able to immediately view any photos taken of me among the scenery of Kamakura. Well, to my surprise, I have now developed these humongous boobs, which sort of spread out to each side making way for a little round belly and beneath that, wide hips and big thighs. If I am not mistaken, the wide hips and thighs were there before, but they were not quite as "out there." I started to feel sorry for myself, and I began asking Suk questions like, "Do you think people realize that I am pregnant? Or do you think they just assume I am fat?" Well, I suppose he didn't quite know how to answer this, so he said, "If you had super skinny legs and small breasts, then of course you would look pregnant. But, you don't have super skinny legs and small breasts." Thanks. Ever heard of the simple answer, "Of course you look pregnant, honey? How could people NOT realize that?"
Later that night, we went our separate ways to bathe in the hotel's bath. Suk is lucky because every where you go, there are LESS men around. Sometimes, he is the only one bathing. As for me, there are always lots of women. There are just more of us in this world.
Right away, I started to feel more uncomfortable than usual. I thought the fact that I am pregnant would mean that people would do double-takes at my huger than huge breasts. As if that thought wasn't bad enough. When I got to the changing room, there was a mom with her teenage daughter and (what looked to be) 9-year old son. Okay, 4 or 5 years old is understandable. But 9?
The bath itself was so full that all the shower stalls were occupied, and after my initial rinse, I had to wait over an hour for a shower stall so I could actually wash myself. I waited in the baths, but could only submerge my body in the coolest bath (pregnant women have to take care not to let their bodies get too hot), which was usually full. I finally secured a spot in there after waiting for about 40 minutes. So, I sat on the edge of the other bath with my big boobs hanging around my stomach while that 9-year old boy's mom helped him to shower 4 times. This last sentence will make more sense later in the story.
Now, this whole time, I was not feeling relaxed at all. I should have just left and gone back to the room. But, I was determined to follow through because I like the soap and shampoo that the hotel provides for the showers. Instead, I sat there watching everyone like a hawk until a shower stall opened up. I was practically seething.
Here is what I noticed. These people sure like to waste water. They wash their hair for 20 minutes. Then, they wash their bodies for 20 more minutes. Then, they rinse off and putter around for several more minutes. Finally, they get up and make their way over to the bath for a soak. Before they leave their shower stall, one of their cronies (perhaps a family member or a friend) comes and waits until they're done, and they take over the shower stall. This happened over and over, and often the original water-hog returned to her shower stall after a short soak, and repeated the process all over again. This is what I meant about that 9-year old boy getting washed down by his mom 4 times. While they soaked in the tub together, the teenage daughter was tediously washing her hair and body.
So, finally, I got a shower stall and I tried to take my time, but I just can't seem to stretch a good hair-washing into 20 minutes. And, here is the part where I finally say something funny about the size of my boobs. When naked in a room full of naked women, you cannot help but compare yourself a bit. These Japanese women have breasts about the same size as my husband's. Meanwhile, when I wash, I actually have to lift my breast up in order to wash beneath it. This was not an issue for me before. Now, my breasts have not only grown, but they are also quite heavy, and they dwarf my pregnant belly, which makes me feel even more self-conscious. Okay, back to the ofuro dilemma.
I left the ofuro and went to the changing room, where the little family was still changing their clothes. The 9-year old boy was all dressed and ready to go, but his sister was taking her time. I thought to myself, "Why in the hell is he still hangin' around?" There are about 10 other women in the dressing room all in various states of nakedness, and he is just standing there. Why doesn't his mom tell him to go and wait out by the vending machines?
Thursday, November 02, 2006
New Endeavor
Okay, as promised I will now reveal my decision.
Not that it is a big deal.
For those who know me well or have been to my house, I am really into scrapbooking and have been for about 9 or 10 years.
I wanted to make a career of it somehow, but wasn't sure how to go about it and read some books to get ideas. Finally, though, I decided to take the easy route and join Creative Memories (CM) as an instructor. So, now I can host workshops or I can teach classes about scrapbooking, and I can sell the products.
So far, I have no workshops planned in the near future, but I would like to start having some after the holidays. I think people are getting too busy right about now, and I actually plan to attend three scrapbooking workshops (hosted by other people) in the next two months, so I'll be quite busy myself.
When I stop working in January, I thought that would be a good time to get started. For now, I have several projects I am working on, and I am planning to sign up for an on-line art class.
So, though I have considered grad school and getting a degree in TESOL, I haven't gone that route yet. Suk is not exactly supportive of continuing education. That is an understatement, by the way. He has asked me why I didn't major in art or graphic design in college though. Well, it was partly because I didn't know I was that interested in it at the time, but luckily I DO use my Communication Arts major every day for my job, so that was worth something.
Not that it is a big deal.
For those who know me well or have been to my house, I am really into scrapbooking and have been for about 9 or 10 years.
I wanted to make a career of it somehow, but wasn't sure how to go about it and read some books to get ideas. Finally, though, I decided to take the easy route and join Creative Memories (CM) as an instructor. So, now I can host workshops or I can teach classes about scrapbooking, and I can sell the products.
So far, I have no workshops planned in the near future, but I would like to start having some after the holidays. I think people are getting too busy right about now, and I actually plan to attend three scrapbooking workshops (hosted by other people) in the next two months, so I'll be quite busy myself.
When I stop working in January, I thought that would be a good time to get started. For now, I have several projects I am working on, and I am planning to sign up for an on-line art class.
So, though I have considered grad school and getting a degree in TESOL, I haven't gone that route yet. Suk is not exactly supportive of continuing education. That is an understatement, by the way. He has asked me why I didn't major in art or graphic design in college though. Well, it was partly because I didn't know I was that interested in it at the time, but luckily I DO use my Communication Arts major every day for my job, so that was worth something.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Well, I never...
This week has been busy with various activity.
I made friends with a girl in my neighborhood who is expecting her first baby in December. She came over and we mulled over our problems with daily life and pregnancy.
And, I just realized that in the previous paragragh, I referred to my friend as a "girl", when actually she is a grown woman, one year older than me. It reminds me of the time that I briefly considered joining an on-line community for pregnant women. You could join groups according to your due date, so that you'd be able to commisserate with other group members. Before actually joining, I previewed the latest messages, and I was surprised by what I found.
Of the several members who had already joined up for the early March due date group, 2 of them were 15-year olds "expecting their first" child, and another was a 16-year old. Well, I never...
I am certain that these young girls need lots of support throughout this experience, but I was not about to share my most intimate fears and concerns with some high school girls. So, I clicked off of that site immediately and decided that meeting people face to face would be better.
Other than that, I have been busy with the usual. Japanese class, exam week at school, Max & and my new endeavor. Which I will reveal to you soon. The guesses were close, and obviously the people who guessed know me quite well. It is more on the creative side than the academic side though.
I made friends with a girl in my neighborhood who is expecting her first baby in December. She came over and we mulled over our problems with daily life and pregnancy.
And, I just realized that in the previous paragragh, I referred to my friend as a "girl", when actually she is a grown woman, one year older than me. It reminds me of the time that I briefly considered joining an on-line community for pregnant women. You could join groups according to your due date, so that you'd be able to commisserate with other group members. Before actually joining, I previewed the latest messages, and I was surprised by what I found.
Of the several members who had already joined up for the early March due date group, 2 of them were 15-year olds "expecting their first" child, and another was a 16-year old. Well, I never...
I am certain that these young girls need lots of support throughout this experience, but I was not about to share my most intimate fears and concerns with some high school girls. So, I clicked off of that site immediately and decided that meeting people face to face would be better.
Other than that, I have been busy with the usual. Japanese class, exam week at school, Max & and my new endeavor. Which I will reveal to you soon. The guesses were close, and obviously the people who guessed know me quite well. It is more on the creative side than the academic side though.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
____head is History
I really have to control myself whenever I talk about this guy because a stream of expletives is likely to excape from my mouth (or from my fingers when typing.)
This week, my colleague, who recently put in his resignation and gave one month's notice completely stopped coming to school.
When they called him to ask what was wrong, he claimed that he has developed influenza. Now, both you and I know that influenza does not actually strike until December or January. And, since his wife is a doctor, I am sure that they are aware of this fact.
So, of course we thought it was strange, and so he was granted a personal visit by the vice-principal and a fellow teacher. Of course, he was found to be in perfect health and was told that his services are no longer needed.
Apparently, he and his wife carefully read over the contract and found that he would be eligible for 20 days of sick leave with pay if indeed has an illness. So, this was their (his) plan. To leave the rest of us hanging, just before an exam period with no files or information passed from him to us. This guy has no class!
And, like we said when we read the resignation letter, it seems like he is an old pro at this kind of thing.
Now, on the bright side (because I ALWAYS try to find the bright side of things), his sudden resignation kind of inspired me to change something in my own life.
Here is a guy who is 38 years old and has been teaching ESL for the past 15 or so years in 3 different Asian countries. And, he got to the point where he realized that he was burned out on it. (To be honest, judging from his abilities & personality, I really doubt that he ever went through a good phase before getting burned out.) Anyway, I asked what he planned to do after leaving this job, and I expected him to say that he would be a househusband, since his wife is a doctor and technically, he does not need to work. This is precisely what he told another co-worker. But, to me, he explained briefly that he would like to write a book. Hmmm...interesting. Though he wouldn't reveal what he planned to write, I imagine that he felt time was passing him by, and that he ought to do some of this stuff before he gets too old or misses the opportunity (like his wife divorcing him and then he would have to work again). In a way, this inspired me to do the thing that I have been wanting to do for the past 6 years but never took that step. So, I did finally make my decision to go ahead with it, and I am very excited about it. So perhaps, _____head coming into my life (and then leaving it again) did prompt me to take this step.
So, there you go. A Bright Side.
This week, my colleague, who recently put in his resignation and gave one month's notice completely stopped coming to school.
When they called him to ask what was wrong, he claimed that he has developed influenza. Now, both you and I know that influenza does not actually strike until December or January. And, since his wife is a doctor, I am sure that they are aware of this fact.
So, of course we thought it was strange, and so he was granted a personal visit by the vice-principal and a fellow teacher. Of course, he was found to be in perfect health and was told that his services are no longer needed.
Apparently, he and his wife carefully read over the contract and found that he would be eligible for 20 days of sick leave with pay if indeed has an illness. So, this was their (his) plan. To leave the rest of us hanging, just before an exam period with no files or information passed from him to us. This guy has no class!
And, like we said when we read the resignation letter, it seems like he is an old pro at this kind of thing.
Now, on the bright side (because I ALWAYS try to find the bright side of things), his sudden resignation kind of inspired me to change something in my own life.
Here is a guy who is 38 years old and has been teaching ESL for the past 15 or so years in 3 different Asian countries. And, he got to the point where he realized that he was burned out on it. (To be honest, judging from his abilities & personality, I really doubt that he ever went through a good phase before getting burned out.) Anyway, I asked what he planned to do after leaving this job, and I expected him to say that he would be a househusband, since his wife is a doctor and technically, he does not need to work. This is precisely what he told another co-worker. But, to me, he explained briefly that he would like to write a book. Hmmm...interesting. Though he wouldn't reveal what he planned to write, I imagine that he felt time was passing him by, and that he ought to do some of this stuff before he gets too old or misses the opportunity (like his wife divorcing him and then he would have to work again). In a way, this inspired me to do the thing that I have been wanting to do for the past 6 years but never took that step. So, I did finally make my decision to go ahead with it, and I am very excited about it. So perhaps, _____head coming into my life (and then leaving it again) did prompt me to take this step.
So, there you go. A Bright Side.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Life...laugh about it
Rather than call this entry "Update", I thought I would give it a cooler name. When weird things happen in your life, you should just laugh it off. Or like my colleague who says "Thank you!" and walks away every single time someone insults him. (I am NOT talking about my foreign colleague who recently resigned.)
Me
I am literally up to my ears in scrapbooking projects right now. After reading two books about design and planning, I felt inspired to get going on some new albums. But first, I need to finish my current project. Also, my friend Louise is coming to visit for the weekend mainly to work on scrapbooking with me. (She is also supposed to help put wallpaper borders up in the baby's room.) So, before Louise arrives, I need to get everything in order so that I will have plenty of scrapbooking stuff to do with her.
I am also updating all my files and making explanation sheets for all of my lesson and unit plans. This is for the next teacher who takes my place (and Dildo's place), so that they won't be left hanging. If only I had had something like this when I first started. My hair started falling out during my first year due to the stress of being at such a loss. Anyway, this is a big job and requires a lot of time, but I refuse to take work home these days! So, I am determined to get it all done AT school.
I have recently made a huge decision that will affect my life in a big way. It is really exciting for me, and I have been waiting 6 years to come to this point, so I am glad that I am finally taking this step. I think that the timing is right as I will have 14 months off of work, so despite Matt's appearance next March, I should probably have time to do this as well. I will announce it soon...very soon.
Max
He farts a lot. Really smelly farts that suddenly waft over in your direction. Also, now that the weather is cooling off, he has become much more cuddly. He wants to be right next to me at all times so we can share body heat. What a user! I am going to make an album dedicated to him called "The Many Personalities of Max". Well, that will be later, after my other projects get off the ground.
Suk
Suk is practicing driving every weekend now, and he is making marked improvement. It is much better to drive with him WITHOUT his parents along. I have a whole list of stores that I want him to drive me to, but so far we have only made it to 3 of them. Okay, that is a start. I will probably never run out of stores that I want to go to. (BTW, I got my international license and will be practicing driving in Japan on the opposite side of the road in the coming weeks. My goal is to get my Japanese license before Christmas...or least before they bar me taking the driving test due to my impending largeness.)
Us
Suk and I are getting along much better since I came back from my trip to the USA. Our fights are much less frequent and they are becoming more "normal". Hey, I am not sure what a normal fight sounds like, but I do know what is NOT normal. And, after 2 years of really shitty, abnormal fights, we are finally over that hump, I think. This probably makes me the happiest of all.
My Family
What can I say? My mom and dad are doing fine. Mom is quilting her butt off. She whips them out faster than I can say Quilters Anonymous. I wish I could get a scrapbook done that quickly. I would like to get up the nerve to ask her to make a new quilt for our bed, but that is just because I want something that will match the new curtains, which I have not chosen or bought yet. Did you catch that stupid, complicated sentence?
My brother. Oh dear, what can I say? He is back in town. My best friends who have known me since childhood (and who have the pleasure of being acquainted with him as well) will know what I mean when I say, "he is back." Have you heard the news that the 22-year old guy in Iowa killed his entire family? Well, that is the reason why my husband always worries when my brother comes back to town. Now, you can get an idea of what we are dealing with.
Luckily though, my sister and I are getting along. She started a blog about her quilting, and I linked it up to my blog. She makes the coolest quilts. I don't know how my parents created such creative kids. Even my brother is creative in his own insanity-stricken way.
Okay, that is it for now. Probably boring to readers who don't know me personally, but I have to do this once in a while.
Me
I am literally up to my ears in scrapbooking projects right now. After reading two books about design and planning, I felt inspired to get going on some new albums. But first, I need to finish my current project. Also, my friend Louise is coming to visit for the weekend mainly to work on scrapbooking with me. (She is also supposed to help put wallpaper borders up in the baby's room.) So, before Louise arrives, I need to get everything in order so that I will have plenty of scrapbooking stuff to do with her.
I am also updating all my files and making explanation sheets for all of my lesson and unit plans. This is for the next teacher who takes my place (and Dildo's place), so that they won't be left hanging. If only I had had something like this when I first started. My hair started falling out during my first year due to the stress of being at such a loss. Anyway, this is a big job and requires a lot of time, but I refuse to take work home these days! So, I am determined to get it all done AT school.
I have recently made a huge decision that will affect my life in a big way. It is really exciting for me, and I have been waiting 6 years to come to this point, so I am glad that I am finally taking this step. I think that the timing is right as I will have 14 months off of work, so despite Matt's appearance next March, I should probably have time to do this as well. I will announce it soon...very soon.
Max
He farts a lot. Really smelly farts that suddenly waft over in your direction. Also, now that the weather is cooling off, he has become much more cuddly. He wants to be right next to me at all times so we can share body heat. What a user! I am going to make an album dedicated to him called "The Many Personalities of Max". Well, that will be later, after my other projects get off the ground.
Suk
Suk is practicing driving every weekend now, and he is making marked improvement. It is much better to drive with him WITHOUT his parents along. I have a whole list of stores that I want him to drive me to, but so far we have only made it to 3 of them. Okay, that is a start. I will probably never run out of stores that I want to go to. (BTW, I got my international license and will be practicing driving in Japan on the opposite side of the road in the coming weeks. My goal is to get my Japanese license before Christmas...or least before they bar me taking the driving test due to my impending largeness.)
Us
Suk and I are getting along much better since I came back from my trip to the USA. Our fights are much less frequent and they are becoming more "normal". Hey, I am not sure what a normal fight sounds like, but I do know what is NOT normal. And, after 2 years of really shitty, abnormal fights, we are finally over that hump, I think. This probably makes me the happiest of all.
My Family
What can I say? My mom and dad are doing fine. Mom is quilting her butt off. She whips them out faster than I can say Quilters Anonymous. I wish I could get a scrapbook done that quickly. I would like to get up the nerve to ask her to make a new quilt for our bed, but that is just because I want something that will match the new curtains, which I have not chosen or bought yet. Did you catch that stupid, complicated sentence?
My brother. Oh dear, what can I say? He is back in town. My best friends who have known me since childhood (and who have the pleasure of being acquainted with him as well) will know what I mean when I say, "he is back." Have you heard the news that the 22-year old guy in Iowa killed his entire family? Well, that is the reason why my husband always worries when my brother comes back to town. Now, you can get an idea of what we are dealing with.
Luckily though, my sister and I are getting along. She started a blog about her quilting, and I linked it up to my blog. She makes the coolest quilts. I don't know how my parents created such creative kids. Even my brother is creative in his own insanity-stricken way.
Okay, that is it for now. Probably boring to readers who don't know me personally, but I have to do this once in a while.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
To the Max
I know I should be working right now - correcting essays or whatever, but I want to write a little entry in honor of my dog, who is now 10 months old.
He has now graduated to a real dog bed. He seems to like it and has not soiled it (well, not since the very first day I presented it to him and then had to take it away for a month!).
He still doesn't like wearing a raincoat, and even if he does have one on, he won't move an inch once he gets outside. So, we do without, and we get wet. But, I could not pass up this one opportunity to take a picture.
Until my husband took this photo of us last weekend, I didn't realize how big Max had gotten.
When he runs around with his little football toy, I say, "Come on Reggie, over here!" in honor of Reggie White of NFL fame. If Max was human, he would definitely be a wide receiver.
He has now graduated to a real dog bed. He seems to like it and has not soiled it (well, not since the very first day I presented it to him and then had to take it away for a month!).
He still doesn't like wearing a raincoat, and even if he does have one on, he won't move an inch once he gets outside. So, we do without, and we get wet. But, I could not pass up this one opportunity to take a picture.
Until my husband took this photo of us last weekend, I didn't realize how big Max had gotten.
When he runs around with his little football toy, I say, "Come on Reggie, over here!" in honor of Reggie White of NFL fame. If Max was human, he would definitely be a wide receiver.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
When Christmas comes early
What would be the ultimate Christmas present for you?
Mine came today in the form of someone's resignation. My other colleague suggested getting a cake to celebrate and that we should have the words "Good-bye ---" decorated on the cake. Well, that won't happen until he actually walks out the door in one month, but we'll look forward to that day with all of our hearts.
Shocking as it is, we could not help but smile as we read the two-page resignation letter detailing his "issues" with this job...as if these issues were caused by us. Oh well, we know better.
I don't have to submit my typed document listing the 30 reasons why they should fire him, but my Japanese co-worker still wants me to, so that our bosses will understand that his resignation was not in fact "our fault."
I will do what I can, but for now, I will drink a coke to celebrate this one small victory.
Mine came today in the form of someone's resignation. My other colleague suggested getting a cake to celebrate and that we should have the words "Good-bye ---" decorated on the cake. Well, that won't happen until he actually walks out the door in one month, but we'll look forward to that day with all of our hearts.
Shocking as it is, we could not help but smile as we read the two-page resignation letter detailing his "issues" with this job...as if these issues were caused by us. Oh well, we know better.
I don't have to submit my typed document listing the 30 reasons why they should fire him, but my Japanese co-worker still wants me to, so that our bosses will understand that his resignation was not in fact "our fault."
I will do what I can, but for now, I will drink a coke to celebrate this one small victory.
Monday, October 02, 2006
iTunes Top 25 Songs
Sometimes, just for fun, I check out my 25 Most Played Songs List on iTunes. I am embarrassed that some of these songs are in fact in my Top 25, but I suppose that says something about my laziness to organize my iTunes better. What's on your Top 25?
(By the way, Chances Are sung by Bob Seger and Martina McBride is my all time favorite song...at least for right now.)
I Hope (Katrina Charity Version) Dixie Chicks
Tonight I Wanna Cry Keith Urban
Jesus, Take the Wheel Carrie Underwood
Cowboy Take Me Away Dixie Chicks
Independence Day Martina McBride
Bless the Broken Road Rascal Flatts
Bad Day Daniel Powter
Fast Cars and Freedom Rascal Flatts
These Are the Days Keith Urban
The Reason Hoobastank
Red Neck Woman Gretchen Wilson
Chances Are Bob Seger with Martina McBride
Seasons of Love Rent
Never Surrender Corey Hart
Mountain Music Alabama
Days Go By Keith Urban
Angel Sarah McLachlan
Kiss This Thing Goodbye Del Amitri
Sunglasses At Night Corey Hart
There is No Arizona Jamie O'Neal
The Flame Cheap Trick
The Cowboy In Me Tim McGraw
Should've Been A Cowboy Toby Keith
Fix You (Live) Coldplay
You're Beautiful James Blunt
(By the way, Chances Are sung by Bob Seger and Martina McBride is my all time favorite song...at least for right now.)
I Hope (Katrina Charity Version) Dixie Chicks
Tonight I Wanna Cry Keith Urban
Jesus, Take the Wheel Carrie Underwood
Cowboy Take Me Away Dixie Chicks
Independence Day Martina McBride
Bless the Broken Road Rascal Flatts
Bad Day Daniel Powter
Fast Cars and Freedom Rascal Flatts
These Are the Days Keith Urban
The Reason Hoobastank
Red Neck Woman Gretchen Wilson
Chances Are Bob Seger with Martina McBride
Seasons of Love Rent
Never Surrender Corey Hart
Mountain Music Alabama
Days Go By Keith Urban
Angel Sarah McLachlan
Kiss This Thing Goodbye Del Amitri
Sunglasses At Night Corey Hart
There is No Arizona Jamie O'Neal
The Flame Cheap Trick
The Cowboy In Me Tim McGraw
Should've Been A Cowboy Toby Keith
Fix You (Live) Coldplay
You're Beautiful James Blunt
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Vices and more
Okay, I admit it. I am a already being a bad mother.
I like to drink coca-a-cola. And though I avoid drinking it every day, I can't help but indulge a few times a week. To be sure, on those days I try to avoid coffee.
Which brings me to another point - coffee consumption. I don't drink the real stuff (that nasty shit they make in our staff room at work tends to lead to sores all over the inside of my mouth), but I do drink Cafe Mocha (powder with hot water added), and when I go to a coffee shop (which you all know that I cannot stay away from even if I try), I often order a Cafe Mocha or something of that nature.
And speaking of mocha, I can't resist chocolate or chocolate chip cookies to this day. So, either I order one at the coffee shop or I bake them.
And when I don't get my cookie for the day, I go for a potato chips from the grocery store. Sometimes, I buy them on the way home from work and eat them as an after-school snack. Other times, my husband (who is so much worse than me) brings them home and eats them for this after-dinner snack. And, then when I get up in the morning, I eat the leftovers for my before-breakfast snack.
When I first realized I was preggers, I dug out my copies of "What to Eat When Expecting" and "What to Expect and Expecting." I faithfully tried the "diets" that they recommend, but that lasted about 2 days. It was shocking to me that a woman could last 9 months on such a restrictive diet. Then, I made the decision that I have quite enough stress in my life without having to add a diet to the mix. So, I stopped worrying so much, except that I still must be worrying because I am writing about it right now.
(And, yes I have to admit that I had a crying fit while visiting my parents in WI because I was so worried that I wasn't eating right. I kept talking about "retardation", and finally, my mom said, "Worrying about such a thing will only make it worse.")
And, then there is all the advice that random people give me.
"Don't gain more than 10kg because that is the rule in Japan."
"Be sure to listen to classical music a lot."
"Don't ride on any type of transportation."
"Don't ride your bicycle."
Today, I am going to do something really enjoyable. A reflexology hot stone massage (basically a foot/leg massage using essential oil and heated stones), and oh, this will feel so nice on my aching feet. This is the kind of vice I need much more of.
Update: I did go to my reflexology appointment, but they turned me away. Why, you say? Because this salon does not serve pregnant women. They explained that the oils absorb into the blood stream and can affect the fetus. Well, well, well...that is news to me. This wave of frustration came over me because I had been looking forward to this special treat for weeks. My feet, legs and hips hurt so badly that I just needed something (anything!) that would relieve the pain. I started crying right then and there, and I couldn't stop. When a white woman cries, her face gets all red and blotchy, her eyes turn a deep crimson, and there I was looking like someone had just told me my husband was killed. I left there and had to be real careful not to run into any students. I went straight to 31 Flavors and bought myself a six-pack of ice cream sandwiches (to share with Suk of course!).
By the way, I have been looking for a place that offers water aerobics for pregnant women, but the classes are always on weekday afternoons. I guess they assume that all pregnant women are also housewives. I am getting really tired of being told that I can't or shouldn't do something because I am pregnant.
Nonetheless, here is a website I found (http://www.essentialoils.co.za/pregnancy.htm) containing information about the essential oils you should avoid during pregnancy (which is in fact all of them). Since the place I go to specializes in Aromatherapy, they could not offer any of their other services to me, since they all involve oils. They told me to ask my doctor next time to recommend some places that cater to pregnant women. It is tough living in a country where the information is not necessarily at your fingertips. I feel so ignorant and illiterate at times.
I like to drink coca-a-cola. And though I avoid drinking it every day, I can't help but indulge a few times a week. To be sure, on those days I try to avoid coffee.
Which brings me to another point - coffee consumption. I don't drink the real stuff (that nasty shit they make in our staff room at work tends to lead to sores all over the inside of my mouth), but I do drink Cafe Mocha (powder with hot water added), and when I go to a coffee shop (which you all know that I cannot stay away from even if I try), I often order a Cafe Mocha or something of that nature.
And speaking of mocha, I can't resist chocolate or chocolate chip cookies to this day. So, either I order one at the coffee shop or I bake them.
And when I don't get my cookie for the day, I go for a potato chips from the grocery store. Sometimes, I buy them on the way home from work and eat them as an after-school snack. Other times, my husband (who is so much worse than me) brings them home and eats them for this after-dinner snack. And, then when I get up in the morning, I eat the leftovers for my before-breakfast snack.
When I first realized I was preggers, I dug out my copies of "What to Eat When Expecting" and "What to Expect and Expecting." I faithfully tried the "diets" that they recommend, but that lasted about 2 days. It was shocking to me that a woman could last 9 months on such a restrictive diet. Then, I made the decision that I have quite enough stress in my life without having to add a diet to the mix. So, I stopped worrying so much, except that I still must be worrying because I am writing about it right now.
(And, yes I have to admit that I had a crying fit while visiting my parents in WI because I was so worried that I wasn't eating right. I kept talking about "retardation", and finally, my mom said, "Worrying about such a thing will only make it worse.")
And, then there is all the advice that random people give me.
"Don't gain more than 10kg because that is the rule in Japan."
"Be sure to listen to classical music a lot."
"Don't ride on any type of transportation."
"Don't ride your bicycle."
Today, I am going to do something really enjoyable. A reflexology hot stone massage (basically a foot/leg massage using essential oil and heated stones), and oh, this will feel so nice on my aching feet. This is the kind of vice I need much more of.
Update: I did go to my reflexology appointment, but they turned me away. Why, you say? Because this salon does not serve pregnant women. They explained that the oils absorb into the blood stream and can affect the fetus. Well, well, well...that is news to me. This wave of frustration came over me because I had been looking forward to this special treat for weeks. My feet, legs and hips hurt so badly that I just needed something (anything!) that would relieve the pain. I started crying right then and there, and I couldn't stop. When a white woman cries, her face gets all red and blotchy, her eyes turn a deep crimson, and there I was looking like someone had just told me my husband was killed. I left there and had to be real careful not to run into any students. I went straight to 31 Flavors and bought myself a six-pack of ice cream sandwiches (to share with Suk of course!).
By the way, I have been looking for a place that offers water aerobics for pregnant women, but the classes are always on weekday afternoons. I guess they assume that all pregnant women are also housewives. I am getting really tired of being told that I can't or shouldn't do something because I am pregnant.
Nonetheless, here is a website I found (http://www.essentialoils.co.za/pregnancy.htm) containing information about the essential oils you should avoid during pregnancy (which is in fact all of them). Since the place I go to specializes in Aromatherapy, they could not offer any of their other services to me, since they all involve oils. They told me to ask my doctor next time to recommend some places that cater to pregnant women. It is tough living in a country where the information is not necessarily at your fingertips. I feel so ignorant and illiterate at times.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Homegoing
Now, I can write about my visit to Wisconsin.
This time, I had three main goals.
1. To go shopping for maternity/baby items.
2. To spend time with family before I become a mom with responsibilities.
3. To spend time with Amy - a promise made last Christmas because we weren't able to meet at that time.
As for Number 1, before leaving Japan, I made sure to research a bit. I asked Wendy (a friend who had a baby last year) since these things would be fresh in her mind. I also joined an e-group for AFWJ that specializes in babies and children topics. I received lots of advice about necessary items. After returning, I have had to shop a bit on-line as I could not find everything I needed. Remember, I am from the boondocks, and the closest they had to a baby/maternity store was a Target.
As for Number 2, this was just my own selfish need to be babied one last time by my parents. I spent much of the time sleeping, napping and watching CNN. Dad and I took the dogs out for walk in the woods almost every day. Grandma & Grandpa took me out for lunch (at her favorite bar). Mom held a big family gathering and invited way too many people. I was usually so exhausted by 7pm that this party was more than I could handle. But, those bratwursts and hotdogs on the grill were so tasty!
As for Number 3, Amy is one of my dear friends whom I have known since our moms were in Homemakers together. She was slightly annoyed when I had no room in my schedule to meet her last Christmas, so we promised to spend some quality time together this summer. It was so worth it. We took her two boys camping in the wilderness of WI. Since Amy is married to a "foreigner" herself, she and I always have a lot to talk [complain] about.
This time, I had three main goals.
1. To go shopping for maternity/baby items.
2. To spend time with family before I become a mom with responsibilities.
3. To spend time with Amy - a promise made last Christmas because we weren't able to meet at that time.
As for Number 1, before leaving Japan, I made sure to research a bit. I asked Wendy (a friend who had a baby last year) since these things would be fresh in her mind. I also joined an e-group for AFWJ that specializes in babies and children topics. I received lots of advice about necessary items. After returning, I have had to shop a bit on-line as I could not find everything I needed. Remember, I am from the boondocks, and the closest they had to a baby/maternity store was a Target.
As for Number 2, this was just my own selfish need to be babied one last time by my parents. I spent much of the time sleeping, napping and watching CNN. Dad and I took the dogs out for walk in the woods almost every day. Grandma & Grandpa took me out for lunch (at her favorite bar). Mom held a big family gathering and invited way too many people. I was usually so exhausted by 7pm that this party was more than I could handle. But, those bratwursts and hotdogs on the grill were so tasty!
As for Number 3, Amy is one of my dear friends whom I have known since our moms were in Homemakers together. She was slightly annoyed when I had no room in my schedule to meet her last Christmas, so we promised to spend some quality time together this summer. It was so worth it. We took her two boys camping in the wilderness of WI. Since Amy is married to a "foreigner" herself, she and I always have a lot to talk [complain] about.
Comments
I didn't realize that a pregnancy would inspire so many replies. Thank you for congratulating us. It is so much better than hearing things like, "Were you trying?", "Is this an accident?", "Are you sure?" In general, Japanese people are tickled pink when they hear of anything that will help to increase the birthrate, but these were some of the reactions of friends or family back home. Before I launch into a narrative of my trip home last month, I want to reply to some of the comments.
Grandma Feeds Beer to Grandbabies
Well, my grandma did this to me. I was probably not a little baby at the time, but I do remember approaching her with my little cup and asking for refill. She would fill it with about one sip of beer, and off I would go to drink it. Now, this was back in the days when seatbelts were not a requirement by law. And, when my grandma was babysitting me, she would take me with her to go barhopping. Before you faint from disbelief, there is a silver lining. Now, as an adult, I refuse her invitations to go barhopping. I did not turn into a alcoholic. And, I never became an uncontrollable teenager partying until I had to go to the ER to get my stomach pumped...like some of the kids I went to high school with. So, "illahee", don't fret too much if your MIL or mother lets your child try an occasional sip of something forbidden.
Kids Become Citizens of 2 Countries
I knew this fact, but it was not something my MIL knew about. I told her not to worry. In any case though, I was relieved to hear that Gina got her baby's passport within two weeks. I have to go to the USA next summer and be the Matron of Honor in Shannon's wedding, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get a passport in time (that's 5 months after the birth). I guess I have no need to worry.
Mother-to-be Considers Becomes "Real" Mother
Gina recommends her doctor in Funabashi. I have a great doctor/clinic in Inage, and I was glad to see they offer epidurals. I hadn't considered NOT getting one until I showed the price to Suk, and his reaction was...get this...
"Mande, you should experience the pain of childbirth at least once in your life. That will make you a real mother." Who the f--- is he to talk? I almost died from holding in my laughter when I heard that. And, that comment really did not deserve a retort of any kind, so I left it at that.
Mother-to-be Swears like an SOB
This has nothing to do with the comments, but I want to note that I have taken to swearing a lot. And, not just your usual "shit" or "damn". It's much more colorful than that. Although I feel content and satisfied with my life right now, I have one issue which is related to work. There is someone that I work with who pisses the living shit out of me, and I cannot help but let it out in some way...healthy or not. My goal in life is to get rid of him before he takes over my responsibilities while I am on maternity leave. I would rather have someone new in the position then someone as assinine as him. I am an evil SOB. I know this to be true.
Grandma Feeds Beer to Grandbabies
Well, my grandma did this to me. I was probably not a little baby at the time, but I do remember approaching her with my little cup and asking for refill. She would fill it with about one sip of beer, and off I would go to drink it. Now, this was back in the days when seatbelts were not a requirement by law. And, when my grandma was babysitting me, she would take me with her to go barhopping. Before you faint from disbelief, there is a silver lining. Now, as an adult, I refuse her invitations to go barhopping. I did not turn into a alcoholic. And, I never became an uncontrollable teenager partying until I had to go to the ER to get my stomach pumped...like some of the kids I went to high school with. So, "illahee", don't fret too much if your MIL or mother lets your child try an occasional sip of something forbidden.
Kids Become Citizens of 2 Countries
I knew this fact, but it was not something my MIL knew about. I told her not to worry. In any case though, I was relieved to hear that Gina got her baby's passport within two weeks. I have to go to the USA next summer and be the Matron of Honor in Shannon's wedding, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get a passport in time (that's 5 months after the birth). I guess I have no need to worry.
Mother-to-be Considers Becomes "Real" Mother
Gina recommends her doctor in Funabashi. I have a great doctor/clinic in Inage, and I was glad to see they offer epidurals. I hadn't considered NOT getting one until I showed the price to Suk, and his reaction was...get this...
"Mande, you should experience the pain of childbirth at least once in your life. That will make you a real mother." Who the f--- is he to talk? I almost died from holding in my laughter when I heard that. And, that comment really did not deserve a retort of any kind, so I left it at that.
Mother-to-be Swears like an SOB
This has nothing to do with the comments, but I want to note that I have taken to swearing a lot. And, not just your usual "shit" or "damn". It's much more colorful than that. Although I feel content and satisfied with my life right now, I have one issue which is related to work. There is someone that I work with who pisses the living shit out of me, and I cannot help but let it out in some way...healthy or not. My goal in life is to get rid of him before he takes over my responsibilities while I am on maternity leave. I would rather have someone new in the position then someone as assinine as him. I am an evil SOB. I know this to be true.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Deal with it
Last weekend, my in-laws held a family dinner at our condo to announce the fact that I am preggers. SIL (sister-in-law), her husband, and father-in-law were invited. MIL made an impressive array of celebratory Japanese foods, including Tai (a kind of fish whose name reminds people of the word "omedetai", which means "to want to celebrate.") and chawanmushi, a type of steamed custard with seafood inside. She said she had never made Tai before as she had never had anything to celebrate in the past. It was fun teaching her how to use my oven and showing her where all the tools are. However, I must admit that since we moved to this place, she usually ends up doing most of the cooking, as family gatherings almost always involve Japanese cuisine. Well, that said, we did appreciate her efforts and the food was wonderful. Photos to follow.
I am now 5 months pregnant, but SIL and the rest of the family were not let in on this secret at the insistence of MIL. Why, you ask? I thought a simple phone call would have sufficed (kind of like the one my mom got, and then it was word of mouth to the rest of the family from that point on), but MIL wanted to make a big deal of this special announcement. On that note, she planned this dinner which was to be held in September, and I figured that by then, we wouldn't need any "announcing" because it would be obvious.
Unfortunately, either these people are not that attuned or I am not that big yet. In any case, at the beginning of dinner and before the toasts, MIL served up the fish, which was dressed in a thick blanket of salt on both sides. Through the baking process, the salt had hardened, so my job (as Queen for the Day) was to use a wooden spoon to pound the fish until the salt broke. I had no idea this was coming, but when they made me do it and the salt blanket split in half, I was as pleased as a pretty little princess. See photo.
SIL's reactions went something like this.
"Oh my, pregnant? Well, we couldn't imagine why you had invited us over for dinner. You said you had something important to talk about, so we thought for sure that either you were getting divorced or transferred overseas. So, we thought that you were going to ask us to live in your condo. And, well, we thought, what the heck? Why not live there?" Nice, huh?
In any case, after getting lectured by Suk earlier that day, I made sure not to SAY A WORD whenever anyone said something that I even mildly disagreed with. Luckily, MIL kept her mouth shut and did not ask the usual questions.
MIL'S Usual Questions (and her opinions)
Will you be sending your child to a day care center or to a kindergarten? (because day-care centers are no good, really.)
What will you name the child? (because I think you should give him/her a name that can be pronounced in both languages.)
Will you be giving birth in Japan? (because I really think you should give birth in America so that child will have American citizenship.)
Will you find out if it is a boy or girl? (because I don't think you should. However, if you do, please do NOT tell me until the baby is born!)
She loves to ask questions and then give her opinions before I really have a chance to answer. So, I was glad that the only topic she brought up (since she knew her family would support her fully) was the notion of visiting a shrine during my 5th month to buy some kind of belt thing and pray for safety. Since I am Christian, and on principal, my husband is a converted Christian who has absolutely NO interest whatsoever in buddhist/shinto customs, I knew that he would not really encourage me to take part in such a custom. So, I sat there with my mouth shut, feigning interest in her explanation. Later, Suk told me that he was just waiting to see what my reaction would be because he, himself, had NO CLUE what the hell they were going on about. Since neither one of us seemed too excited about the prospect of visiting a shrine, MIL dropped the subject with a trailing off sentence about "Well, that's what I did when I was ..."
Don't get me wrong though. I am determined to get over my issues with MIL because I really want her to have a great relationship with my children, and I want my kids to jump for joy whenever they get to go over to Grandma's for a sleepover. They will not be able to do this so often with my parents, so I would never want to stand in the way of their relationship with MIL. So, we'll start with babysitting and go from there. I promise to trust her, even if her ways are a bit different from mine. I know she is great with Max, and Max practically has a seizure every time Grandma comes over to visit. And, she just "loves" it when I say, "Oh, Max. Look, Obaachan is here to see you!"
I am now 5 months pregnant, but SIL and the rest of the family were not let in on this secret at the insistence of MIL. Why, you ask? I thought a simple phone call would have sufficed (kind of like the one my mom got, and then it was word of mouth to the rest of the family from that point on), but MIL wanted to make a big deal of this special announcement. On that note, she planned this dinner which was to be held in September, and I figured that by then, we wouldn't need any "announcing" because it would be obvious.
Unfortunately, either these people are not that attuned or I am not that big yet. In any case, at the beginning of dinner and before the toasts, MIL served up the fish, which was dressed in a thick blanket of salt on both sides. Through the baking process, the salt had hardened, so my job (as Queen for the Day) was to use a wooden spoon to pound the fish until the salt broke. I had no idea this was coming, but when they made me do it and the salt blanket split in half, I was as pleased as a pretty little princess. See photo.
SIL's reactions went something like this.
"Oh my, pregnant? Well, we couldn't imagine why you had invited us over for dinner. You said you had something important to talk about, so we thought for sure that either you were getting divorced or transferred overseas. So, we thought that you were going to ask us to live in your condo. And, well, we thought, what the heck? Why not live there?" Nice, huh?
In any case, after getting lectured by Suk earlier that day, I made sure not to SAY A WORD whenever anyone said something that I even mildly disagreed with. Luckily, MIL kept her mouth shut and did not ask the usual questions.
MIL'S Usual Questions (and her opinions)
Will you be sending your child to a day care center or to a kindergarten? (because day-care centers are no good, really.)
What will you name the child? (because I think you should give him/her a name that can be pronounced in both languages.)
Will you be giving birth in Japan? (because I really think you should give birth in America so that child will have American citizenship.)
Will you find out if it is a boy or girl? (because I don't think you should. However, if you do, please do NOT tell me until the baby is born!)
She loves to ask questions and then give her opinions before I really have a chance to answer. So, I was glad that the only topic she brought up (since she knew her family would support her fully) was the notion of visiting a shrine during my 5th month to buy some kind of belt thing and pray for safety. Since I am Christian, and on principal, my husband is a converted Christian who has absolutely NO interest whatsoever in buddhist/shinto customs, I knew that he would not really encourage me to take part in such a custom. So, I sat there with my mouth shut, feigning interest in her explanation. Later, Suk told me that he was just waiting to see what my reaction would be because he, himself, had NO CLUE what the hell they were going on about. Since neither one of us seemed too excited about the prospect of visiting a shrine, MIL dropped the subject with a trailing off sentence about "Well, that's what I did when I was ..."
Don't get me wrong though. I am determined to get over my issues with MIL because I really want her to have a great relationship with my children, and I want my kids to jump for joy whenever they get to go over to Grandma's for a sleepover. They will not be able to do this so often with my parents, so I would never want to stand in the way of their relationship with MIL. So, we'll start with babysitting and go from there. I promise to trust her, even if her ways are a bit different from mine. I know she is great with Max, and Max practically has a seizure every time Grandma comes over to visit. And, she just "loves" it when I say, "Oh, Max. Look, Obaachan is here to see you!"
Friday, September 22, 2006
Science Experiment
Well, it has been a while. Due to a combination of laziness, busyness and Desperate Housewives Season 2, I have not been able to keep up with this blog. Now is the time to get back on the horse and write about my recent developments.
I am now in the process of growing a baby. When I read about that in books which refer to pregnancy as "growing a baby", I just have to laugh. It sounds like a really cool science experiment that you would do in your backyard. Oh, if growing a baby could only be so fun.
"Matt" as I like to call "it" is due to make his appearance on or around March 1st. I do not know if "Matt" is a boy or a girl, but one day when I was imagining what a wonderful kid my child would grow up to be, I imagined a good looking Asian kid that looked like a "Matt." Suk says this name will not be acceptable since MATTO doesn't sound like a Japanese name, it doesn't have a chinese character to match, and it sounds like a tatami mat. Oh well.
So, Matt it is NOT. But for now, "it" needs a name and Matt sounds pretty darn good to me.
So, I spent the summer suffering from continuous bouts of morning sickness, which meant that looking at a computer screen was the last thing I wanted to be doing. Thus the lack of blog entries. Then, I also suffered from a lack of topics. Oh, what is a knocked-up woman to write about besides her pain and suffering, her nervousness and moodiness, and her general obsession with baby-growing?
I promise not to post scanned photos of my ultrasounds. (And I promise not to email them to friends and family as well!) Looking at these is like looking at one of those weird calendars that were popular in the 1990s. Okay, that must be the backbone. No, wait, it's the ribs. Is that an eye or the back of the head? Oh, god, what the hell...put that damn thing away. For those of you unfamiliar with Japanese customs, we ladies in Japan get to undergo ultrasound at every doctor's visit. So, I have about 5 little ultrasound photos so far. And, don't even start lecturing me about how dangerous it is. I trust the Japanese medical system especially when it comes to babies - they take that shit very seriously. You see, the difference is in insurance coverage. In the USA, they tell you it is dangerous, but actually, the insurance companies refuse to cover more than one ultrasound during an entire pregnancy. In Japan, they'll cover anything that involves a photograph!
Last week, Suk and I were walking around and I tripped over a chain fence. I fell forward and put my hands out to protect my stomach, but I was still managed to injure my legs, arms & boobs. I was worried about Matt, and since I still felt pain a couple days later, I went to the doctor. He did, yet another, ultrasound and found that Matt was still growing and moving strong. Now, everyone tells me to avoid falling. As if I need to be told that!
At work, I announced the baby-growing situation to my English department last week, and before that I let the vice-principal, etc. know. Immediately, they began the process of finding my temporary replacement, and they told me that, by law, I must stop working on January 1 (8 weeks before Matt's due date). I was shocked by this, especially since I won't be receiving a salary, but then I thought - what the hell? I might as well enjoy the time off. I also plan to take a year off after Matt is born (without salary) because I can. I want to take advantage of this despite the fact that due to an incompetent co-worker, our department will go to hell in a handbasket if he stays on staff. Oh, pray that the fool gets fired soon!!!! Anyway, on top of all this, I have been banned from taking business trips and from riding my bike to school. Of course, my doctor said that I am perfectly capable of doing these things as long as I don't start bleeding. Well, that said, my school bosses are not changing their minds.
On a bright note though, Suk and I purchased a car (finally!) and he suggested that I drive it to work every day. So, now I need to get my license in Japan, and we will be all set. (Although my principal did not like this idea either!) They are just being way too careful. I am not that fragile...although I do wish Suk would think I am a little bit fragile.
That is all for now. I would like to write a lot more, but I think I will save the MIL complaints for next time.
I am now in the process of growing a baby. When I read about that in books which refer to pregnancy as "growing a baby", I just have to laugh. It sounds like a really cool science experiment that you would do in your backyard. Oh, if growing a baby could only be so fun.
"Matt" as I like to call "it" is due to make his appearance on or around March 1st. I do not know if "Matt" is a boy or a girl, but one day when I was imagining what a wonderful kid my child would grow up to be, I imagined a good looking Asian kid that looked like a "Matt." Suk says this name will not be acceptable since MATTO doesn't sound like a Japanese name, it doesn't have a chinese character to match, and it sounds like a tatami mat. Oh well.
So, Matt it is NOT. But for now, "it" needs a name and Matt sounds pretty darn good to me.
So, I spent the summer suffering from continuous bouts of morning sickness, which meant that looking at a computer screen was the last thing I wanted to be doing. Thus the lack of blog entries. Then, I also suffered from a lack of topics. Oh, what is a knocked-up woman to write about besides her pain and suffering, her nervousness and moodiness, and her general obsession with baby-growing?
I promise not to post scanned photos of my ultrasounds. (And I promise not to email them to friends and family as well!) Looking at these is like looking at one of those weird calendars that were popular in the 1990s. Okay, that must be the backbone. No, wait, it's the ribs. Is that an eye or the back of the head? Oh, god, what the hell...put that damn thing away. For those of you unfamiliar with Japanese customs, we ladies in Japan get to undergo ultrasound at every doctor's visit. So, I have about 5 little ultrasound photos so far. And, don't even start lecturing me about how dangerous it is. I trust the Japanese medical system especially when it comes to babies - they take that shit very seriously. You see, the difference is in insurance coverage. In the USA, they tell you it is dangerous, but actually, the insurance companies refuse to cover more than one ultrasound during an entire pregnancy. In Japan, they'll cover anything that involves a photograph!
Last week, Suk and I were walking around and I tripped over a chain fence. I fell forward and put my hands out to protect my stomach, but I was still managed to injure my legs, arms & boobs. I was worried about Matt, and since I still felt pain a couple days later, I went to the doctor. He did, yet another, ultrasound and found that Matt was still growing and moving strong. Now, everyone tells me to avoid falling. As if I need to be told that!
At work, I announced the baby-growing situation to my English department last week, and before that I let the vice-principal, etc. know. Immediately, they began the process of finding my temporary replacement, and they told me that, by law, I must stop working on January 1 (8 weeks before Matt's due date). I was shocked by this, especially since I won't be receiving a salary, but then I thought - what the hell? I might as well enjoy the time off. I also plan to take a year off after Matt is born (without salary) because I can. I want to take advantage of this despite the fact that due to an incompetent co-worker, our department will go to hell in a handbasket if he stays on staff. Oh, pray that the fool gets fired soon!!!! Anyway, on top of all this, I have been banned from taking business trips and from riding my bike to school. Of course, my doctor said that I am perfectly capable of doing these things as long as I don't start bleeding. Well, that said, my school bosses are not changing their minds.
On a bright note though, Suk and I purchased a car (finally!) and he suggested that I drive it to work every day. So, now I need to get my license in Japan, and we will be all set. (Although my principal did not like this idea either!) They are just being way too careful. I am not that fragile...although I do wish Suk would think I am a little bit fragile.
That is all for now. I would like to write a lot more, but I think I will save the MIL complaints for next time.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Why I hate airlines, festivals and people in general
Do you have those negative days where nothing goes right and everyone just seems out to ruin your day? Yes, even that guy who "accidentally" brushed (no, whapped) your arm as he walked past you on the street, and you are convinced that he did it on purpose. And, those idiotic people (in this case, I am talking about Japanese) who are actually ATTRACTED to crowded places, so everyone who is anyone goes to the hugest festival, which happens to take place in your very neighborhood every single year! And, then there are the airlines!
Okay, I remember writing a post last January about my harrowing experience on American Airlines, which I vowed that I would never use again. On a positive update for that story, I did receive a very long and detailed letter (no, email) apologizing for this problem, but also full of excuses as to why these things happen. I had since neglected to acknowledge this email, but I was nonetheless, grateful for it. Anywho, Suk and I were not planning to fly back to the USA this year for a variety of reasons, one very important being the existance of MAX. However, it was suddenly decided that we MUST fly back to the USA at the end of the summer or we would not have a chance until next summer, and this summer is turning out to be a very very very important summer for me and my family. So, I looked into using our saved-up mileage, which I had never attempted to use before, and lo and behold, found that we have saved up so many miles that we can fly there and back virtually free on business class. So, here I am again dealing with American Airlines, but I am sure that the experience will be much different on business class. I hope.
So, moving on with my negativity about airlines. This time, it is United. Perhaps, it is not United's fault persay. It could have been a simple mistake, like a newbie trainee employee running out onto the pavement when he wasn't supposed to, or they forgot to pack the sushi, or worse yet, they found the sushi to be tainted and had to wait for a new delivery of meals. Okay, so here is the story.
My friend (if I say "best", she gets annoyed with me), Shannon, is coming to Japan to visit for 5 days. Her flight was scheduled to leave Chicago at noon. She was to arrive at 3 pm today, get on a bus by herself, and come to my train station. This is easy, and I am sure she could have managed, and as I was working all day, could not go to the airport to pick her up myself. I predicted which bus she would be riding on, and when I should be there waiting for her at the bus stop, in the fucking hot weather we are having now that summer has hit.
All day long, I checked the flight status on United.com. According to their website, the plane had left 20 minutes later than scheduled, but that it was due to arrive 4 hours later (4 HOURS LATER) than scheduled! I asked my co-workers how this could be possible, and one of them checked the status on Narita Airport's own website. Status unknown. That wasn't much help. But, after more digging, I found that according to United.com, the flight had indeed left 20 minutes, but was due to arrive 7 minutes earlier (7 MINUTES EARLIER) than scheduled. I believed that, and I continued to believe it all day until I found myself waiting at the bus stop at the appointed time. Three buses went by, but no Shannon.
Finally, I called Suk and asked him to check the internet again, and he found that the flight was due to arrive at 7:20 (four hours and 20 minutes after the original time), and that I should get my butt home immediately. When I got home, I found an email from Shannon's fiance explaining that after final boarding, everyone had been instructed to "un-board" immediately, due to security issues. And, this, in itself, caused at least a 2 hour delay. What the hell?
Okay, I remember writing a post last January about my harrowing experience on American Airlines, which I vowed that I would never use again. On a positive update for that story, I did receive a very long and detailed letter (no, email) apologizing for this problem, but also full of excuses as to why these things happen. I had since neglected to acknowledge this email, but I was nonetheless, grateful for it. Anywho, Suk and I were not planning to fly back to the USA this year for a variety of reasons, one very important being the existance of MAX. However, it was suddenly decided that we MUST fly back to the USA at the end of the summer or we would not have a chance until next summer, and this summer is turning out to be a very very very important summer for me and my family. So, I looked into using our saved-up mileage, which I had never attempted to use before, and lo and behold, found that we have saved up so many miles that we can fly there and back virtually free on business class. So, here I am again dealing with American Airlines, but I am sure that the experience will be much different on business class. I hope.
So, moving on with my negativity about airlines. This time, it is United. Perhaps, it is not United's fault persay. It could have been a simple mistake, like a newbie trainee employee running out onto the pavement when he wasn't supposed to, or they forgot to pack the sushi, or worse yet, they found the sushi to be tainted and had to wait for a new delivery of meals. Okay, so here is the story.
My friend (if I say "best", she gets annoyed with me), Shannon, is coming to Japan to visit for 5 days. Her flight was scheduled to leave Chicago at noon. She was to arrive at 3 pm today, get on a bus by herself, and come to my train station. This is easy, and I am sure she could have managed, and as I was working all day, could not go to the airport to pick her up myself. I predicted which bus she would be riding on, and when I should be there waiting for her at the bus stop, in the fucking hot weather we are having now that summer has hit.
All day long, I checked the flight status on United.com. According to their website, the plane had left 20 minutes later than scheduled, but that it was due to arrive 4 hours later (4 HOURS LATER) than scheduled! I asked my co-workers how this could be possible, and one of them checked the status on Narita Airport's own website. Status unknown. That wasn't much help. But, after more digging, I found that according to United.com, the flight had indeed left 20 minutes, but was due to arrive 7 minutes earlier (7 MINUTES EARLIER) than scheduled. I believed that, and I continued to believe it all day until I found myself waiting at the bus stop at the appointed time. Three buses went by, but no Shannon.
Finally, I called Suk and asked him to check the internet again, and he found that the flight was due to arrive at 7:20 (four hours and 20 minutes after the original time), and that I should get my butt home immediately. When I got home, I found an email from Shannon's fiance explaining that after final boarding, everyone had been instructed to "un-board" immediately, due to security issues. And, this, in itself, caused at least a 2 hour delay. What the hell?
Monday, June 19, 2006
Ha! Fooled y'all!
I didn't really mean to fool you, but thanks to all the warnings about smoking, I have decided to quit. Actually, I never really started. After those first three cigs, I gave up. Really, though, I thank you for your comments of concern. If only Suk had been half as concerned!
So, after a week of thinking about my "goal" for the next convention and also getting inspired by Christine's conviction to lose weight, I decided to join the bandwagon.
But, first me and my Type A personality had to figure out what my challenges are towards reaching the goal and exactly how I would attempt to pull it off.
First challenge
My irregular, lazy-ass schedule - Ever since we moved, I have not been able to get my ass in gear and I blame it on the following things:
* Cable TV (which we had installed when we moved)
* Max (who needed a lot of attention and also needed to be watched like a hawk)
* Too much school work (though not nearly as much as I used to have)
* The Internet and email (which I check many times per day)
* A very comfortable & inviting sofa (Suk suggested adding this to the list)
Due to all the changes in my life, I sort of fell off the boat. When we moved, it was as if all the things I used to do, like cook well-balanced meals, went right out the window. And it was much easier to watch Max like a hawk while sitting on the sofa with Cable TV on in the background. And, shopping for groceries, much less planning a menu fell by the wayside. And, then comes procrastination, which is a big word that takes just as long to say it as it does to just do the thing you have been procrastinating about.
Procrastination with a capital P
I am not, by nature, a procrastinator. I can think of many people in my life who, in fact, are major procrastinators. However, since I moved, I have fallen into that category. These are the things that I constantly feel guilty about but never do anything about them:
* Studying Japanese/Doing homework for Japanese class
* Starting to eat healthily
* Exercising
* Keeping track of finances
* Practicing piano
* Starting a new project for scrapbooking
* Organizing certain areas of our aparment, such as the walk-in-closet.
So, after careful Type-A analyzation of my goals and challenges, I decided that taking things one hour at a time would work best. Also, "scheduling" rewards in between would probably motivate me to do that which I am supposed to do. One more piece of advice I gave myself was to not expect to do too much in one evening.
Of course, life always gets in the way. You get an unexpected phone call (oh god, that rarely happens nowadays. It's 2006, people!). You have to run an errand. There's a dinner party for work. Aside from that though, if I can kind of keep to a regular schedule, I should be able to achieve more.
Basically, my goal is to leave school at 5pm every evening and get home by 5:30 by minimizing errands that need to be run during the week. Also, I want to get into bed by 11:30, so I can actually read my book for a good 20 minutes before nodding off (rather than the current 2 minutes - 1/2 a page per night - rate that I am at). My other goal is to minimize TV-viewing to one decent show per evening. That means that I can't just sit there and watch X-files for a sake of watching TV, even though I can't stand the show. If I plan my week's menu on Sunday and go grocery shopping for the whole week, that will save time from having to stop by the store during the week, and I'll have more time to actually cook. Finally, I am hoping to fit one useful activity in each evening such as study Japanese, exercise, play piano, or scrapbook a few pages. This is basically what I was doing before we moved, but I got completely off track.
As for rewards, I am allowing myself rewards here and there - TV-viewing, reading a book, surfing the internet, checking email, and OF COURSE playing with Max.
When all is said and done, I am hoping to have lost some weight. And that, folks, would be my ultimate goal here in terms of working towards the next convention. I am not sure if I am going to convince people to sponsor me though. Maybe my mom would since she loves to donate to anything relating to breast cancer.
So, after a week of thinking about my "goal" for the next convention and also getting inspired by Christine's conviction to lose weight, I decided to join the bandwagon.
But, first me and my Type A personality had to figure out what my challenges are towards reaching the goal and exactly how I would attempt to pull it off.
First challenge
My irregular, lazy-ass schedule - Ever since we moved, I have not been able to get my ass in gear and I blame it on the following things:
* Cable TV (which we had installed when we moved)
* Max (who needed a lot of attention and also needed to be watched like a hawk)
* Too much school work (though not nearly as much as I used to have)
* The Internet and email (which I check many times per day)
* A very comfortable & inviting sofa (Suk suggested adding this to the list)
Due to all the changes in my life, I sort of fell off the boat. When we moved, it was as if all the things I used to do, like cook well-balanced meals, went right out the window. And it was much easier to watch Max like a hawk while sitting on the sofa with Cable TV on in the background. And, shopping for groceries, much less planning a menu fell by the wayside. And, then comes procrastination, which is a big word that takes just as long to say it as it does to just do the thing you have been procrastinating about.
Procrastination with a capital P
I am not, by nature, a procrastinator. I can think of many people in my life who, in fact, are major procrastinators. However, since I moved, I have fallen into that category. These are the things that I constantly feel guilty about but never do anything about them:
* Studying Japanese/Doing homework for Japanese class
* Starting to eat healthily
* Exercising
* Keeping track of finances
* Practicing piano
* Starting a new project for scrapbooking
* Organizing certain areas of our aparment, such as the walk-in-closet.
So, after careful Type-A analyzation of my goals and challenges, I decided that taking things one hour at a time would work best. Also, "scheduling" rewards in between would probably motivate me to do that which I am supposed to do. One more piece of advice I gave myself was to not expect to do too much in one evening.
Of course, life always gets in the way. You get an unexpected phone call (oh god, that rarely happens nowadays. It's 2006, people!). You have to run an errand. There's a dinner party for work. Aside from that though, if I can kind of keep to a regular schedule, I should be able to achieve more.
Basically, my goal is to leave school at 5pm every evening and get home by 5:30 by minimizing errands that need to be run during the week. Also, I want to get into bed by 11:30, so I can actually read my book for a good 20 minutes before nodding off (rather than the current 2 minutes - 1/2 a page per night - rate that I am at). My other goal is to minimize TV-viewing to one decent show per evening. That means that I can't just sit there and watch X-files for a sake of watching TV, even though I can't stand the show. If I plan my week's menu on Sunday and go grocery shopping for the whole week, that will save time from having to stop by the store during the week, and I'll have more time to actually cook. Finally, I am hoping to fit one useful activity in each evening such as study Japanese, exercise, play piano, or scrapbook a few pages. This is basically what I was doing before we moved, but I got completely off track.
As for rewards, I am allowing myself rewards here and there - TV-viewing, reading a book, surfing the internet, checking email, and OF COURSE playing with Max.
When all is said and done, I am hoping to have lost some weight. And that, folks, would be my ultimate goal here in terms of working towards the next convention. I am not sure if I am going to convince people to sponsor me though. Maybe my mom would since she loves to donate to anything relating to breast cancer.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
A Failed Experiment
Last weekend, I attended a convention in Kyushu. It was my first time to go to the southern island of Japan, and it was a blast to meet up with people I usually only communicate with over email. The theme of this particular convention was "relaxation", and they encouraged us to relax in every way possible, even if that meant to "drink a lot of wine, sing bad karaoke, and watch four Japanese guys perform hip hop dancing on stage." Aside from that, I did manage to make it to a spa with my friends and had reflexology done on my feet for the very first time.
During the convention, some members of our organization introduced the theme and location of next year's convention with a lot of hoopla. The theme centers on "health" and the convention will take place at a public sports plaza type hotel where there will be many opportunities to "get healthy." Knowing that it takes more than 3 days (the length of an average convention) to get healthy, these particular members asked us to each come up with a personal goal and to track your progress toward that goal until the convention next year. Oh, and we can try to get family members or friends to sponsor us and the money would go for breast cancer research.
On the way home, my friends and I discussed potential goals. Here are some of the goals we came up with:
1. Lose weight (too obvious!)
2. Eat a salad with at least two meals a day (got some raised eyebrows on that one...guess not!)
3. Try not to get a cold between now and next February (yeah, right!)
4. Scrapbook one page a day until next February (not directly related to health, but more to do with mental health)
At home, I thought more about these goals and wondered which one I should choose. Then, just on a whim, I asked my husband what he would say to me or what he would think of me if I were a smoker. He looked right at me and said, "I couldn't care less." Of course, I tried to call him on it. Wouldn't he say, "Smoking is bad for you health. You shouldn't do that to your body. You should quit. What about when you get pregnant, blah, blah, blah?" He denied this, so I told him that I was going to take up smoking then and there.
I won't even get into the part of the story where he protested my use of his cigarettes (Go out and buy your own!) and my asking him to do me a favor and pick some up for me the next day (Since I have never purchased a pack myself and don't even know how or where to buy them!) and him saying that I am really immature (and me thinking that taking up smoking is a rather "adult" thing to do, doncha think?).
What I will say is that I went outside on our balony with a cigarette in hand and lit it. It took about 5 tries to get it lit completely. Then I started smoking, well kind of. It took about 10 tries before I could actually inhale properly. Then, the cigarette broke in half because I was gripping it too hard. I held it together and smoked it to the end anyway.
Here is the clincher. I did what I most hate him to do.
I stood just in front of the open patio door so he could see me in my full glory from his seat on the sofa. I suppose World Cup Soccer was taking most of his attention from the situation at hand, but I know he glanced over a few times. I made sure to exhale directly on the laundry that was hanging there. And, I sloppily flicked my cigarette over the ash can so that ashes could fly every where.
But, immediately, after smoking this one cigarette, I could smell it on my hair, my fingers and my own breath. I thought, wow, this is pretty gross. So, I went inside and sat next to him on the couch and breathed directly in his face while talking to him breathily. "How's the game? What's happening? Who's winning?"
He couldn't have cared less.
Finally, he said, "Wow, your breath stinks," in a flat tone.
I said, "You really think so?"
He said, "Well, that is what you want me to say, right?"
I went outside to smoke another.
Later in the bathtub, without mentioning the next convention or the theme, I told him that I would like to quit smoking by next February. Yes, that would be my goal. Would he like to join me?
Incredulously, he looked me over and said, "You have taken up smoking? And you are going to quit by next February? What are you talking about?"
I repeated my offer for him to join me in quitting by next February.
He said, "I'm getting out. You are being so childish."
After the bath, I went outside to smoke another, and I thought to myself (as I got another whiff of my hair), "Perhaps I need to come up with a different goal. This one is not working."
During the convention, some members of our organization introduced the theme and location of next year's convention with a lot of hoopla. The theme centers on "health" and the convention will take place at a public sports plaza type hotel where there will be many opportunities to "get healthy." Knowing that it takes more than 3 days (the length of an average convention) to get healthy, these particular members asked us to each come up with a personal goal and to track your progress toward that goal until the convention next year. Oh, and we can try to get family members or friends to sponsor us and the money would go for breast cancer research.
On the way home, my friends and I discussed potential goals. Here are some of the goals we came up with:
1. Lose weight (too obvious!)
2. Eat a salad with at least two meals a day (got some raised eyebrows on that one...guess not!)
3. Try not to get a cold between now and next February (yeah, right!)
4. Scrapbook one page a day until next February (not directly related to health, but more to do with mental health)
At home, I thought more about these goals and wondered which one I should choose. Then, just on a whim, I asked my husband what he would say to me or what he would think of me if I were a smoker. He looked right at me and said, "I couldn't care less." Of course, I tried to call him on it. Wouldn't he say, "Smoking is bad for you health. You shouldn't do that to your body. You should quit. What about when you get pregnant, blah, blah, blah?" He denied this, so I told him that I was going to take up smoking then and there.
I won't even get into the part of the story where he protested my use of his cigarettes (Go out and buy your own!) and my asking him to do me a favor and pick some up for me the next day (Since I have never purchased a pack myself and don't even know how or where to buy them!) and him saying that I am really immature (and me thinking that taking up smoking is a rather "adult" thing to do, doncha think?).
What I will say is that I went outside on our balony with a cigarette in hand and lit it. It took about 5 tries to get it lit completely. Then I started smoking, well kind of. It took about 10 tries before I could actually inhale properly. Then, the cigarette broke in half because I was gripping it too hard. I held it together and smoked it to the end anyway.
Here is the clincher. I did what I most hate him to do.
I stood just in front of the open patio door so he could see me in my full glory from his seat on the sofa. I suppose World Cup Soccer was taking most of his attention from the situation at hand, but I know he glanced over a few times. I made sure to exhale directly on the laundry that was hanging there. And, I sloppily flicked my cigarette over the ash can so that ashes could fly every where.
But, immediately, after smoking this one cigarette, I could smell it on my hair, my fingers and my own breath. I thought, wow, this is pretty gross. So, I went inside and sat next to him on the couch and breathed directly in his face while talking to him breathily. "How's the game? What's happening? Who's winning?"
He couldn't have cared less.
Finally, he said, "Wow, your breath stinks," in a flat tone.
I said, "You really think so?"
He said, "Well, that is what you want me to say, right?"
I went outside to smoke another.
Later in the bathtub, without mentioning the next convention or the theme, I told him that I would like to quit smoking by next February. Yes, that would be my goal. Would he like to join me?
Incredulously, he looked me over and said, "You have taken up smoking? And you are going to quit by next February? What are you talking about?"
I repeated my offer for him to join me in quitting by next February.
He said, "I'm getting out. You are being so childish."
After the bath, I went outside to smoke another, and I thought to myself (as I got another whiff of my hair), "Perhaps I need to come up with a different goal. This one is not working."
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Movie Review
Thanks to those who posted comments answering my questions about American Life. It really helped, and I was able to finish both articles in time for our class tomorrow. Thanks a lot!
Every once in a while, I want to enlighten you with my views and reviews on movies, partly because I am forced to watch so many, but also because some people don't or can't see the movies at the theater, and so they must wonder if some DVDs are worth the rental cost.
The Producers
This is the movie version of a 1960-something musical written by Mel Torme. If you are used to the Andrew Lloyd Weber style musical, you will be in for a surprise when watching this. For the first 10 minutes, I thought we had made a mistake to waste our money on such dribble, but after that, we were thoroughly entertained. For our generation to see a film that pokes fun at the likes of Hitler is definitely a shock to the system. You cannot get any more unPC than this movie. I won't even mention the song about being gay. Oops. Or the songs about Hitler being gay. Oops again.
Rent
Another musical, and I saw them within a week of each other. I had no idea what this story was about except that it took place in NYC and involved a bunch of young people. I will say that it is an emotional story which takes place at the end of the 80's, and it is about 8 artist-type friends who have no money and half of them have AIDS. Apparently, the writer based this story on the original La Boheme. My favorite character was the lesbian lawyer, and it was worth watching just to see her sing. And there was a lot of singing to be had.
The Constant Gardner
Another movie that I knew virtually nothing about before going to see it. The acting is superb, the story even better. A guy marries a woman he has not been dating for long because he gets sent to Africa for work, and she wants to go with him as his wife. She is a very outspoken political activist, but they seem to get along well, until tragedy strikes. Then, her work takes a mysterious turn, and she ends up getting killed. Her husband has lost his trust in her by that time, but decides to go after the truth and find out why she was killed. In finding the true story, he finds himself, and realizes that she really did love him. It is a beautiful love story, not just about their marriage, but also about her passion for helping the people of Africa. I cried throughout the second half of the movie. Have to get the soundtrack also.
On DVD
Butterfly Effect
Whether or not you are an Ashton Kutcher fan, if you like weird, out-of-order movies, you will adore this one. Kutcher is a brilliant as a guy who has a special ability to change his past, which will then affect his future. He keeps going back and forth between a horrible incident that happened in his past and a "new" future, trying to get things just right. He gets so caught up in it that you will too.
Duplex
Starring my ever-favorite Ben Stiller, this movie is about a young married couple who purchase a duplex in NYC and have to deal with their old, decrepid upstairs tenent. She ends up driving them insane to the point that they devise several ways in which to kill her. I wouldn't say this movie is dark, but their duplex sure doesn't get a lot of sunlight. Perhaps that is the basic problem. It is worth watching 'til the end because their is an interesting plot twist.
Every once in a while, I want to enlighten you with my views and reviews on movies, partly because I am forced to watch so many, but also because some people don't or can't see the movies at the theater, and so they must wonder if some DVDs are worth the rental cost.
The Producers
This is the movie version of a 1960-something musical written by Mel Torme. If you are used to the Andrew Lloyd Weber style musical, you will be in for a surprise when watching this. For the first 10 minutes, I thought we had made a mistake to waste our money on such dribble, but after that, we were thoroughly entertained. For our generation to see a film that pokes fun at the likes of Hitler is definitely a shock to the system. You cannot get any more unPC than this movie. I won't even mention the song about being gay. Oops. Or the songs about Hitler being gay. Oops again.
Rent
Another musical, and I saw them within a week of each other. I had no idea what this story was about except that it took place in NYC and involved a bunch of young people. I will say that it is an emotional story which takes place at the end of the 80's, and it is about 8 artist-type friends who have no money and half of them have AIDS. Apparently, the writer based this story on the original La Boheme. My favorite character was the lesbian lawyer, and it was worth watching just to see her sing. And there was a lot of singing to be had.
The Constant Gardner
Another movie that I knew virtually nothing about before going to see it. The acting is superb, the story even better. A guy marries a woman he has not been dating for long because he gets sent to Africa for work, and she wants to go with him as his wife. She is a very outspoken political activist, but they seem to get along well, until tragedy strikes. Then, her work takes a mysterious turn, and she ends up getting killed. Her husband has lost his trust in her by that time, but decides to go after the truth and find out why she was killed. In finding the true story, he finds himself, and realizes that she really did love him. It is a beautiful love story, not just about their marriage, but also about her passion for helping the people of Africa. I cried throughout the second half of the movie. Have to get the soundtrack also.
On DVD
Butterfly Effect
Whether or not you are an Ashton Kutcher fan, if you like weird, out-of-order movies, you will adore this one. Kutcher is a brilliant as a guy who has a special ability to change his past, which will then affect his future. He keeps going back and forth between a horrible incident that happened in his past and a "new" future, trying to get things just right. He gets so caught up in it that you will too.
Duplex
Starring my ever-favorite Ben Stiller, this movie is about a young married couple who purchase a duplex in NYC and have to deal with their old, decrepid upstairs tenent. She ends up driving them insane to the point that they devise several ways in which to kill her. I wouldn't say this movie is dark, but their duplex sure doesn't get a lot of sunlight. Perhaps that is the basic problem. It is worth watching 'til the end because their is an interesting plot twist.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Unveiling the Mansion
After several requests from Christine, I am going to introduce our new condo in this post. As I mentioned before, we have really had to get our asses in gear to prepare for a housewarming party, so we did manage to decorate a bit more.
Let me first reveal that I often feel like we are the white trash of our building because this has been sitting in front of our genkan for over two months now! I am waiting for Suk to get around2it. I know I should have (or could have) called the garbage company myself, but there are just some things a man SHOULD do for his own home.
"Who lives here?"
"I don't know, honey, but they sure as hell must be white trash." (And this reminds me of my clip drive for my school computer, which always creates a folder called "trashes", and I nearly fell over the first time I saw that. I thought one of the Japanese teachers had put that on there for a joke.)
This is what you'll see as you're walking down the corridor to our apartment. We didn't expect that there would be a mini-forest down below, but you can see the major highway down below as well. Don't worry though because we can't hear the noise or smell the nasty exhaust fumes up here.
The view from the genkan. As my Slovakian friend remarked the first time she came over, "There sure are a lot of doors in this hall way." Yes, many doors. Not much room for embellishment. Any ideas?
On your immediate right is our bedroom, which looks pretty much the same as it did in our old apartment. Excuse the curtains, as they are from our old living room. I would like to get some curtains that match but am waiting for something to catch my eye first.
On your immediate left is Suk's room (until and if a baby comes along and stakes his claim on it). We bought the piano from a friend who moved to the USA recently, so in between blogging and cleaning up poop, I have begun to dabble again after 10 years of not playing at all. The couch is that nappy thing we had in our old apartment, but Suk is (god only knows why) attached to it.
And, this is the only part of the apartment that Suk gets to decorate all by his little ol' self. This display used to be in our genkan. Thank god it has its own room now.
Down the hall and on your left is the ofuro/laundry/dressing room.
Nothing special here...except for this!
Feast your eyes, people! Suk likes to invite people over just to bathe. He wants everyone to take baths during our housewarming party, and I had to break it to him gently that, actually, my foreign friends and co-workers probably won't be interested, but thanks anyway.
Down the hall and to your right is the computer/scrapbooking/reading room. I suppose we could call it an office, but that seems so dull. I am so happy to finally have a human-sized desk for scrapbooking.
At the end of the long, many doored hallway is the main area of the condo. The kitchen is to the left, and has an entrance from the bathroom as well.
This is the kitchen as viewed from the bathroom. I like it because we chose the option of dishwasher and "real" oven. So, now I can bake cakes and lasagna and it actually cooks all the way through to the middle! Yatta!
We (read, I) decided to have this extra counter top and cupboard installed for obvious reasons. It was a pain in the ass because Suk kept complaining about the cost, but when he saw the final product, he was more than pleased.
Beyond the kitchen, is the "conservatory," also known as Max's room. It is bright yellow, but I think yellow is a happy color, and I love it. We want him to feel cheerful, right? If you want to see the many transformations of Max's room, you can check my post on Puppy Love Love.
Here is the dining/living room, which I love. Our old living room was about 1/8 of this, and me and Suk were always arguing over space. Here is our love-at-first-sight dining room table. Our yellowish-green leafy curtains. And our awesome sofa, which because of its comfort level, I often wake up alone in the morning (Suk tends to fall asleep on it.). The office opens out onto this room as well, so if we have lots of guests, we can make a bigger space.
And the dining room table which I gushed about in a previous blog. The perfect combination of country-style and modern.
The veranda, with the bench that we recently bought at Unidy. We had to put it together ourselves. Can you believe that? We would like to add plants and a little herb garden, but haven't gotten around to that yet. We need to find a way to hide Max's poop garbage because it is unsightly.
Yup, another area I like to call "the unslightly white trash area of our veranda." Everyone in Japan has this area, I just know it. It is a place for garbage and laundry and air conditioners. It also manages to block our view when sitting on the bench.
The view from our veranda.
Let me first reveal that I often feel like we are the white trash of our building because this has been sitting in front of our genkan for over two months now! I am waiting for Suk to get around2it. I know I should have (or could have) called the garbage company myself, but there are just some things a man SHOULD do for his own home. "Who lives here?"
"I don't know, honey, but they sure as hell must be white trash." (And this reminds me of my clip drive for my school computer, which always creates a folder called "trashes", and I nearly fell over the first time I saw that. I thought one of the Japanese teachers had put that on there for a joke.)
This is what you'll see as you're walking down the corridor to our apartment. We didn't expect that there would be a mini-forest down below, but you can see the major highway down below as well. Don't worry though because we can't hear the noise or smell the nasty exhaust fumes up here.
The view from the genkan. As my Slovakian friend remarked the first time she came over, "There sure are a lot of doors in this hall way." Yes, many doors. Not much room for embellishment. Any ideas?
On your immediate right is our bedroom, which looks pretty much the same as it did in our old apartment. Excuse the curtains, as they are from our old living room. I would like to get some curtains that match but am waiting for something to catch my eye first.
On your immediate left is Suk's room (until and if a baby comes along and stakes his claim on it). We bought the piano from a friend who moved to the USA recently, so in between blogging and cleaning up poop, I have begun to dabble again after 10 years of not playing at all. The couch is that nappy thing we had in our old apartment, but Suk is (god only knows why) attached to it.
And, this is the only part of the apartment that Suk gets to decorate all by his little ol' self. This display used to be in our genkan. Thank god it has its own room now.
Down the hall and on your left is the ofuro/laundry/dressing room.Nothing special here...except for this!
Feast your eyes, people! Suk likes to invite people over just to bathe. He wants everyone to take baths during our housewarming party, and I had to break it to him gently that, actually, my foreign friends and co-workers probably won't be interested, but thanks anyway.
Down the hall and to your right is the computer/scrapbooking/reading room. I suppose we could call it an office, but that seems so dull. I am so happy to finally have a human-sized desk for scrapbooking.
At the end of the long, many doored hallway is the main area of the condo. The kitchen is to the left, and has an entrance from the bathroom as well.
This is the kitchen as viewed from the bathroom. I like it because we chose the option of dishwasher and "real" oven. So, now I can bake cakes and lasagna and it actually cooks all the way through to the middle! Yatta!
We (read, I) decided to have this extra counter top and cupboard installed for obvious reasons. It was a pain in the ass because Suk kept complaining about the cost, but when he saw the final product, he was more than pleased.
Beyond the kitchen, is the "conservatory," also known as Max's room. It is bright yellow, but I think yellow is a happy color, and I love it. We want him to feel cheerful, right? If you want to see the many transformations of Max's room, you can check my post on Puppy Love Love.
Here is the dining/living room, which I love. Our old living room was about 1/8 of this, and me and Suk were always arguing over space. Here is our love-at-first-sight dining room table. Our yellowish-green leafy curtains. And our awesome sofa, which because of its comfort level, I often wake up alone in the morning (Suk tends to fall asleep on it.). The office opens out onto this room as well, so if we have lots of guests, we can make a bigger space.
And the dining room table which I gushed about in a previous blog. The perfect combination of country-style and modern.
The veranda, with the bench that we recently bought at Unidy. We had to put it together ourselves. Can you believe that? We would like to add plants and a little herb garden, but haven't gotten around to that yet. We need to find a way to hide Max's poop garbage because it is unsightly.
Yup, another area I like to call "the unslightly white trash area of our veranda." Everyone in Japan has this area, I just know it. It is a place for garbage and laundry and air conditioners. It also manages to block our view when sitting on the bench.
The view from our veranda.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Losing Touch with American Culture
Not only am I getting older and therefore gradually losing touch with my high school students, but I am also losing touch with American culture. I try to stay with it as much as possible by subscribing to certain magazines and keeping up with celeb gossip, but that's about as far as it goes.
Everyday American life - the beautiful, peaceful, wonderful way of life - is slowly fading away, and as you see from this sentence, it has become idealized in my own mind.
The real purpose of this entry is to pose a few questions to anyone reading this. In a word, I need some help. I have started to write a series of short articles pertaining to everyday American life, and I found that there are some holes in my memory. These articles will be introduced in my Intercultural Communication class, where students are focusing on American culture, lifestyle, geography and history.
The first two articles are about Transportation/commuting and Shopping. So here are my questions.
Transportation/Communication
Is it true to some people, especially those who live on the East Coast, sometimes commute to work by airplane? Say, from Boston to NYC, or something to that effect?
What are the benefits of carpooling to work? I have already written about the benefit of the carpool lane. How does that carpool lane thing work anyway?
For teenagers who live in metropolitan areas, how does one go about getting a driver's license? Do they offer Driver's Ed in the high schools? How much does it cost otherwise? And finally, how much does it cost to take the test and get the license at the DMV? I know this varies from state to state, but I found that the price varies from $5 on up.
What is the temporary license called? Do you have a nickname for it? I swear that we called it a "temps" in high school, but my co-worker highly doubted this.
Shopping
I guess I don't have any questions about this section, but I will share with you my list of vocabulary words, and you'll get an idea of the contents we are dealing with.
Main Street
Outskirts
Gas station
Mom & Pop shop
Chain store
Strip Mall
Locally-owned
Outlet Store
Superstore
And finally, let me share with you other topics for future articles. Each article will be short, say 100 words or less.
Possible Topics for the Future
Food: What we eat every day
Music: What people listen to
Leisure: What people do for fun
Sports & Exercise: What people do to stay fit (or not)
Entertainment: What people watch on TV
Humor: What is funny to American people
Holidays: How holidays are celebrated
High School Life: What life is like for high school students
Any other suggestions?
Everyday American life - the beautiful, peaceful, wonderful way of life - is slowly fading away, and as you see from this sentence, it has become idealized in my own mind.
The real purpose of this entry is to pose a few questions to anyone reading this. In a word, I need some help. I have started to write a series of short articles pertaining to everyday American life, and I found that there are some holes in my memory. These articles will be introduced in my Intercultural Communication class, where students are focusing on American culture, lifestyle, geography and history.
The first two articles are about Transportation/commuting and Shopping. So here are my questions.
Transportation/Communication
Is it true to some people, especially those who live on the East Coast, sometimes commute to work by airplane? Say, from Boston to NYC, or something to that effect?
What are the benefits of carpooling to work? I have already written about the benefit of the carpool lane. How does that carpool lane thing work anyway?
For teenagers who live in metropolitan areas, how does one go about getting a driver's license? Do they offer Driver's Ed in the high schools? How much does it cost otherwise? And finally, how much does it cost to take the test and get the license at the DMV? I know this varies from state to state, but I found that the price varies from $5 on up.
What is the temporary license called? Do you have a nickname for it? I swear that we called it a "temps" in high school, but my co-worker highly doubted this.
Shopping
I guess I don't have any questions about this section, but I will share with you my list of vocabulary words, and you'll get an idea of the contents we are dealing with.
Main Street
Outskirts
Gas station
Mom & Pop shop
Chain store
Strip Mall
Locally-owned
Outlet Store
Superstore
And finally, let me share with you other topics for future articles. Each article will be short, say 100 words or less.
Possible Topics for the Future
Food: What we eat every day
Music: What people listen to
Leisure: What people do for fun
Sports & Exercise: What people do to stay fit (or not)
Entertainment: What people watch on TV
Humor: What is funny to American people
Holidays: How holidays are celebrated
High School Life: What life is like for high school students
Any other suggestions?
Monday, May 29, 2006
We Are Being Watched
I have been really good these past couple of weeks. I have left my bitchin' and complainin' about hubby out of my blog for the sole reason that I wanted to seem "positive." Then, I signed on with Sitemeter due to Mean Teacher's post about her experiences with it, and now I can see who, when, what, where and how people are reading my blog. I found that, yes, he does sometimes sign on from his work computer. Oh...for...the...love...of...god, as good ol' Homer Simpson would say.
Then, just yesterday, he happened to notice when I was reading some comments from Shannon (thank you for commenting!), and said, "Please don't write about me on your blog. It's embarrassing." He also told me that he sometimes reads it, and I was like, "No....really?" and then to myself, "No....couldn't be....no-o-o-o...how could he? can he? really?" And, later, he admitted that my writing vocabulary is much different than my spoken (when speaking to him) vocabulary, and that it's unfair to show my "real self" to others, but not to him.
Well, folks, you have just glimpsed the inside of an international marriage where the two people involved have not only gender issues, communication issues, but also a huge language barrier. Oh, sure, we do the whole switching thing between Japanese and English all the time - whatever feels comfortable, whatever comes out of our mouths at any given moment, but when I turn to my friends, I will undoubted switch to a natural speed, higher level English. I am sure he does the same in Japanese. Let's hope that this is normal. Let's also hope that it will get better by the time we are married for 50 years. Let's also hope that our kids will be able and willing to translate for us. Don't tell them that though because I think it will be too much pressure on them. Just let it happen naturally.
But, there is a gender issue going on that I am sure supercedes any and all language barriers. It is the fact that he tunes me out! He doesn't even listen to what I am saying half the time - whether it is a cute story about my childhood, or gossip about a friend, or how pissed off I am about something he did, or a request to do something. I mean, the guy just stares off into space, or the TV, or the floor, and I have to repeat myself a thousand times.
So, I must relate this one small tidbit before I go. Last week, after much tension at work, two of my co-workers (Mr. K is my good friend, and Mr. J is new to this job) had it out with each other, and Mr. J admitted to "tuning out" most things that Mr. K says, and he went so far is to call it "rhetoric" which is deeply insulting. I studied rhetoric in college as part of my communications major, but I actually had to look this word up to see whether it was truly an insult or not. Yes, it is! Completely and utterly insulting! So, Mr. K was pissed off about this. It is pretty pathetic when a new employee to a company decides to tune out everything that someone says, especially when that someone is trying to "learn" him something. But, I wanted to say, "Someone you barely know is tuning you out? That's sad, but try being married to someone for 5 years, and being tuned out every single day. Then, I will ask you if it bothers you that Mr. J tunes you out."
Then, just yesterday, he happened to notice when I was reading some comments from Shannon (thank you for commenting!), and said, "Please don't write about me on your blog. It's embarrassing." He also told me that he sometimes reads it, and I was like, "No....really?" and then to myself, "No....couldn't be....no-o-o-o...how could he? can he? really?" And, later, he admitted that my writing vocabulary is much different than my spoken (when speaking to him) vocabulary, and that it's unfair to show my "real self" to others, but not to him.
Well, folks, you have just glimpsed the inside of an international marriage where the two people involved have not only gender issues, communication issues, but also a huge language barrier. Oh, sure, we do the whole switching thing between Japanese and English all the time - whatever feels comfortable, whatever comes out of our mouths at any given moment, but when I turn to my friends, I will undoubted switch to a natural speed, higher level English. I am sure he does the same in Japanese. Let's hope that this is normal. Let's also hope that it will get better by the time we are married for 50 years. Let's also hope that our kids will be able and willing to translate for us. Don't tell them that though because I think it will be too much pressure on them. Just let it happen naturally.
But, there is a gender issue going on that I am sure supercedes any and all language barriers. It is the fact that he tunes me out! He doesn't even listen to what I am saying half the time - whether it is a cute story about my childhood, or gossip about a friend, or how pissed off I am about something he did, or a request to do something. I mean, the guy just stares off into space, or the TV, or the floor, and I have to repeat myself a thousand times.
So, I must relate this one small tidbit before I go. Last week, after much tension at work, two of my co-workers (Mr. K is my good friend, and Mr. J is new to this job) had it out with each other, and Mr. J admitted to "tuning out" most things that Mr. K says, and he went so far is to call it "rhetoric" which is deeply insulting. I studied rhetoric in college as part of my communications major, but I actually had to look this word up to see whether it was truly an insult or not. Yes, it is! Completely and utterly insulting! So, Mr. K was pissed off about this. It is pretty pathetic when a new employee to a company decides to tune out everything that someone says, especially when that someone is trying to "learn" him something. But, I wanted to say, "Someone you barely know is tuning you out? That's sad, but try being married to someone for 5 years, and being tuned out every single day. Then, I will ask you if it bothers you that Mr. J tunes you out."
Friday, May 26, 2006
And the harrassment continues
Can it be called harrassment when I post nasty stuff about my friends on my own blog and hope that they read it?
Thanks, Amy, for answering my MEME. I guess that is the proper word, but I have no idea what it means. You are a dear friend.
As for the other friends that I mentioned in my Current Fives and in the post before that - I am still waiting, and now I am really starting to second-guess the description of my blog, which is written just under the title. Shall I change it or not?
Thanks, Amy, for answering my MEME. I guess that is the proper word, but I have no idea what it means. You are a dear friend.
As for the other friends that I mentioned in my Current Fives and in the post before that - I am still waiting, and now I am really starting to second-guess the description of my blog, which is written just under the title. Shall I change it or not?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Cola Roast
I just want to give a shout out to any of your slow-cooker fanatics out there. I tried the recipe for Cola Roast last week. It sounds disgusting, but it is so easy to do, and anything that involves Coke-a-cola is undoubtedly tasty, so I thought I would give it a try.
I don't usually get too excited about meat, but this was so damn good that I ended up eating half of the roast, packing up the other half for my lunch box, and then calling my husband to tell him "Sorry, no dinner tonight. I just didn't have time. You'll have to fend for yourself."
Tonight, I am making it again, and I am going to make sure he tries it.
Cola Roast
Place one huge chunk of meat in the slow cooker. I prefer pork thigh because it is virtually fat-free.
Mix together one can of Cream of Mushroom soup and one package of onion soup mix. Pour over the meat and spread it evenly.
Just before turning on the slow cooker, pour a can of coke (diet coke would not work here!) over the meat mixture, place cover on slow cooker, and cook on HIGH until you get home.
Last week, mine was cooking for nearly 10 hours and high, and it looked kind of burnt, but it tasted so excellent. The sauce makes a wonderful gravy for rice or potatoes as well.
Let me know how it tastes!
I don't usually get too excited about meat, but this was so damn good that I ended up eating half of the roast, packing up the other half for my lunch box, and then calling my husband to tell him "Sorry, no dinner tonight. I just didn't have time. You'll have to fend for yourself."
Tonight, I am making it again, and I am going to make sure he tries it.
Cola Roast
Place one huge chunk of meat in the slow cooker. I prefer pork thigh because it is virtually fat-free.
Mix together one can of Cream of Mushroom soup and one package of onion soup mix. Pour over the meat and spread it evenly.
Just before turning on the slow cooker, pour a can of coke (diet coke would not work here!) over the meat mixture, place cover on slow cooker, and cook on HIGH until you get home.
Last week, mine was cooking for nearly 10 hours and high, and it looked kind of burnt, but it tasted so excellent. The sauce makes a wonderful gravy for rice or potatoes as well.
Let me know how it tastes!
Current Fives
This is my first original tag. I have never made one before and I don't know exactly how it works, but I am going to give this a try. This is an easy one.
5 Musicians that I currently listen to:
Amanda Wilkinson
P!NK
Jewel
Kelly Clarkson
Keith Urban
5 Movies/DVDs that I Have Watched Recently:
DaVinci Code
The Producers
Inventing the Abbotts
The Forgotten
Butterfly Effect
5 TV Shows that I Tend to Watch (not necessarily because I want to):
Tru Calling
Nip/Tuck
The Swan
Killer Instinct
American Idol
5 Restaurants I have Visited Recently:
Outback Steakhouse
Old Spaghetti Factory
Maharaja
An Okonomiyaki restaurant
McDonald's
5 Foods that I currently enjoy snacking on:
Dark Chocolate (as always!)
Cottage Cheese
Gouda/White Cheddar Cheese
Pringles (sour cream and onion)
Coke-a-cola (okay, this is not a food, but it is close enough!)
I am tagging the following people:
International Marriage?? What the heck is that?!
Homesick Home
Adventures of Bu & Q
The Mean Teacher
deenster in Tokyo
I am also tagging the following people (another test to see if you're reading). Just do your lists in the comments section.
Amy
Jill
Sara
Shannon
5 Musicians that I currently listen to:
Amanda Wilkinson
P!NK
Jewel
Kelly Clarkson
Keith Urban
5 Movies/DVDs that I Have Watched Recently:
DaVinci Code
The Producers
Inventing the Abbotts
The Forgotten
Butterfly Effect
5 TV Shows that I Tend to Watch (not necessarily because I want to):
Tru Calling
Nip/Tuck
The Swan
Killer Instinct
American Idol
5 Restaurants I have Visited Recently:
Outback Steakhouse
Old Spaghetti Factory
Maharaja
An Okonomiyaki restaurant
McDonald's
5 Foods that I currently enjoy snacking on:
Dark Chocolate (as always!)
Cottage Cheese
Gouda/White Cheddar Cheese
Pringles (sour cream and onion)
Coke-a-cola (okay, this is not a food, but it is close enough!)
I am tagging the following people:
I am also tagging the following people (another test to see if you're reading). Just do your lists in the comments section.
Amy
Jill
Sara
Shannon
Monday, May 22, 2006
To Friends Back Home
Yes, I still call the USA my home. So sue me!
This is a plea to my friends back home - Amy, Shannon, Sara and Jill.
You guys are the best. I am so happy that things are moving along for everyone as we are about to turn 30.
Okay, end of sucking up.
Need I say it again. I know you are reading this, and I want you to comment. Comments get emailed directly to me, so even if you are behind in your reading, I will still see the comment. You don't need to have your own blog in order to comment. And, if you forget your registered user name and password, you can make up a new one on the spot.
Now, just some news to update you all on each other.
Amy
Amy and her family are moving to a new place this summer. They seem to be doing fine, and Amy sounds great actually. I really enjoyed talking with her on the phone a few weeks ago. She is the one who made me realize that I should be calling my friends once in while instead of feeling sorry for myself because no one ever calls me. So, thanks to Amy, I am making phone dates with you all once a month. Got that!
Shannon
Shannon is getting married next summer, and has just started "officially" living with her fiance. They are having a new house built and will be moving into it in September. She is also starting a new job this fall as a pre-school teacher for special ed kids. And, get this, she is applying for grad school. I am so jealous!
Sara
Sara is getting married in September. They recently purchased a house that is a hop, skip and jump from Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. They will be moving sometime this summer.
Jill
Jill is going to grad school and in the middle of deciding whether or not to let her boyfriend move in with her. He is a really nice guy, Jill! You can't find 'em any nicer and low-key than that. In fact, since opposites do attract, maybe Mr. Low Key would be good for you in the long run.
I love you all. Next phone date is with Sara. Email me.
This is a plea to my friends back home - Amy, Shannon, Sara and Jill.
You guys are the best. I am so happy that things are moving along for everyone as we are about to turn 30.
Okay, end of sucking up.
Need I say it again. I know you are reading this, and I want you to comment. Comments get emailed directly to me, so even if you are behind in your reading, I will still see the comment. You don't need to have your own blog in order to comment. And, if you forget your registered user name and password, you can make up a new one on the spot.
Now, just some news to update you all on each other.
Amy
Amy and her family are moving to a new place this summer. They seem to be doing fine, and Amy sounds great actually. I really enjoyed talking with her on the phone a few weeks ago. She is the one who made me realize that I should be calling my friends once in while instead of feeling sorry for myself because no one ever calls me. So, thanks to Amy, I am making phone dates with you all once a month. Got that!
Shannon
Shannon is getting married next summer, and has just started "officially" living with her fiance. They are having a new house built and will be moving into it in September. She is also starting a new job this fall as a pre-school teacher for special ed kids. And, get this, she is applying for grad school. I am so jealous!
Sara
Sara is getting married in September. They recently purchased a house that is a hop, skip and jump from Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. They will be moving sometime this summer.
Jill
Jill is going to grad school and in the middle of deciding whether or not to let her boyfriend move in with her. He is a really nice guy, Jill! You can't find 'em any nicer and low-key than that. In fact, since opposites do attract, maybe Mr. Low Key would be good for you in the long run.
I love you all. Next phone date is with Sara. Email me.
When Good Things Happen to Smart, Manipulative People
I wouldn't exactly describe myself as manipulative, but I do have a way of getting what I want when I want it. I guess you could call it a talent.
So this table with the two vampire holes was kind of bothering me. Thanks for the tip on wood filler. Will buy some at DIY Store tonight. In the meantime, I covered that part of the table with some magazines and various pieces of mail, and you-know-who was none the wiser.
We have to get our asses in gear regarding this condo because want to make it look presentable by June 3, the day of our housewarming party. So, we went out shopping on Saturday and decided to buy a bench for our table (the one with the vampire holes in it.) We also had to get lace curtains to go beneath our real curtains that we purchased a few weeks ago. They are gorgeous - the real curtains, I mean. A perfect compromise between the ugly (I mean, elegant) floral pattern that he wanted and the simple leaf-pattern that I wanted. In a word, they have an elegant leaf pattern on them, and they are supposed to be green, but they look kind of yellow in the light. Luckily, I happen to like yellow.
We were also in the market for a coffee table, and these are so damn expensive. I kept telling Suk to go down to the DIY center and make one himself, but you know salarymen and their tools. Those two words don't really belong in the same sentence.
We meandered around the store for a while looking at various tables, and Suk in his usual non-impulsive style, was all like, "Not exactly what we had in mind. We should go somewhere else tomorrow."
On Sunday, we went to a different store where we knew there would be plenty of benches to choose from. And it was at this store where we actually purchased the lace curtains. While looking around for a decent coffee table, we came upon ... It.
It was the perfect compromise between the kind of table I had been fantisizing about for months and the kind of table he wanted.
It was country style, lighter color wood. Two benches at a 90-degree angle with a small, square bench in between. The price was within our budget, and they had only 4 left. We sat down at It and discussed the ins and outs of the size, the style, etc. We compared and contrasted it to other tables that we kind of liked. We walked around the store for what seemed like hours, and in the meantime, we found a coffee table that we both liked.
We decided to put the old table in my scrapbooking room so that I can use it as a worktable, which would give me a lot more space to work on, and I won't have to sit on the floor anymore. Plus, we won't have to buy a desk eventually - that was to be my birthday gift.
Eventually, we came back and we bought It along with the coffee table. And the best part of the whole weekend? All compromise and no fights! I couldn't believe my luck.
And it gets better. The two vampire holes will belong to me now. I can blame it on my scrapbooking tools and say it was a total accident...that is if anyone notices them.
Next project that I must finish this week. An A2 size scrapbook page with the theme "FAMILY" that will go in a picture frame. We received a really cool frame from Karen, a friend who moved to the USA recently, and we are going to hang it in the dining area. I have to find photos of his family and my family to put in it.
Max is doing fine, but it not quite there on the housebreaking yet. I need to find ways to manipulate him into doing what I want. Any suggestions?
So this table with the two vampire holes was kind of bothering me. Thanks for the tip on wood filler. Will buy some at DIY Store tonight. In the meantime, I covered that part of the table with some magazines and various pieces of mail, and you-know-who was none the wiser.
We have to get our asses in gear regarding this condo because want to make it look presentable by June 3, the day of our housewarming party. So, we went out shopping on Saturday and decided to buy a bench for our table (the one with the vampire holes in it.) We also had to get lace curtains to go beneath our real curtains that we purchased a few weeks ago. They are gorgeous - the real curtains, I mean. A perfect compromise between the ugly (I mean, elegant) floral pattern that he wanted and the simple leaf-pattern that I wanted. In a word, they have an elegant leaf pattern on them, and they are supposed to be green, but they look kind of yellow in the light. Luckily, I happen to like yellow.
We were also in the market for a coffee table, and these are so damn expensive. I kept telling Suk to go down to the DIY center and make one himself, but you know salarymen and their tools. Those two words don't really belong in the same sentence.
We meandered around the store for a while looking at various tables, and Suk in his usual non-impulsive style, was all like, "Not exactly what we had in mind. We should go somewhere else tomorrow."
On Sunday, we went to a different store where we knew there would be plenty of benches to choose from. And it was at this store where we actually purchased the lace curtains. While looking around for a decent coffee table, we came upon ... It.
It was the perfect compromise between the kind of table I had been fantisizing about for months and the kind of table he wanted.
It was country style, lighter color wood. Two benches at a 90-degree angle with a small, square bench in between. The price was within our budget, and they had only 4 left. We sat down at It and discussed the ins and outs of the size, the style, etc. We compared and contrasted it to other tables that we kind of liked. We walked around the store for what seemed like hours, and in the meantime, we found a coffee table that we both liked.
We decided to put the old table in my scrapbooking room so that I can use it as a worktable, which would give me a lot more space to work on, and I won't have to sit on the floor anymore. Plus, we won't have to buy a desk eventually - that was to be my birthday gift.
Eventually, we came back and we bought It along with the coffee table. And the best part of the whole weekend? All compromise and no fights! I couldn't believe my luck.
And it gets better. The two vampire holes will belong to me now. I can blame it on my scrapbooking tools and say it was a total accident...that is if anyone notices them.
Next project that I must finish this week. An A2 size scrapbook page with the theme "FAMILY" that will go in a picture frame. We received a really cool frame from Karen, a friend who moved to the USA recently, and we are going to hang it in the dining area. I have to find photos of his family and my family to put in it.
Max is doing fine, but it not quite there on the housebreaking yet. I need to find ways to manipulate him into doing what I want. Any suggestions?
Friday, May 19, 2006
When Smart People Do Dumb Things
Sssh...don't tell my husband, but I pounded two holes in our kitchen table.
Rather than wait around for him to hang up my pictures and bulletin boards, and going through yet another weekend of nagging, I decided to decorate my scrapbooking/computer area all by my lonesome.
The bulletin board needed two nails pounded into it so that I could properly tie a string across the back. Well, I laid that bulletin board down on the wooden kitchen table,and I pounded. Then I pounded some more. Oh, just a bit more. There.
I tied the string between the two nails, and there you go, ready to hang up on the wall.
But I got interrupted with something way better to do, like watch X-files. Then make dinner. Then eat it. Then sit around and watch more TV. Hang out with dog. Surf the internet. Then clean the house. Finally, at midnight, I found my way back to the kitchen table, and I thought, oh, yes, "must hang the bulletin board before going to bed."
I attempted to lift it off the table, but it wouldn't budge. And I lifted. And I pulled. And I set my knee up on the table and gave it a big pull. There it goes!
Two vampire-like holes in the kitchen table. A bulletin board with nail spikes poking through the front. Do you think it will be obvious to the naked eye?
Time to cover up the table with a cloth and call it good.
(By the way, this is not a brand-new table. We opted to put off buying a table as we had decided to exchange our 4-year old table with Suk's mom's table. Oh. thank. god. I. think.)
Rather than wait around for him to hang up my pictures and bulletin boards, and going through yet another weekend of nagging, I decided to decorate my scrapbooking/computer area all by my lonesome.
The bulletin board needed two nails pounded into it so that I could properly tie a string across the back. Well, I laid that bulletin board down on the wooden kitchen table,and I pounded. Then I pounded some more. Oh, just a bit more. There.
I tied the string between the two nails, and there you go, ready to hang up on the wall.
But I got interrupted with something way better to do, like watch X-files. Then make dinner. Then eat it. Then sit around and watch more TV. Hang out with dog. Surf the internet. Then clean the house. Finally, at midnight, I found my way back to the kitchen table, and I thought, oh, yes, "must hang the bulletin board before going to bed."
I attempted to lift it off the table, but it wouldn't budge. And I lifted. And I pulled. And I set my knee up on the table and gave it a big pull. There it goes!
Two vampire-like holes in the kitchen table. A bulletin board with nail spikes poking through the front. Do you think it will be obvious to the naked eye?
Time to cover up the table with a cloth and call it good.
(By the way, this is not a brand-new table. We opted to put off buying a table as we had decided to exchange our 4-year old table with Suk's mom's table. Oh. thank. god. I. think.)
Monday, May 15, 2006
One Person's Rudeness is Another Person's Physical Disorder
A funny thing occurred during the catered lunch which took place at the shrine. There was much wine, beer and sake, so after 90 minutes of solid drinking and eating, I was a little sleepy. Forgiveable in most circumstances, perhaps.
Towards the end of the meal, SIL and Sensei invited the young Shinto priest to come in, so we could all thank him personally. Then, for some ungodly reason, they invited us to ask questions about Shintoism to the priest. Well, for once, these Japanese people actually HAD questions, and the priest went on and on in detail about the history of the shrine, how one becomes a priest...well, I am not sure what was said after that because I was nodding off...zonked out...long gone.
Suk was constantly tapping my foot and arms to jolt me awake, but it didn't help. People were watching me. The priest was droning on, and people were asking question after question. Then, MIL, turns to me and says, "Why don't you ask a question about the differences between Shinto and Christianity?"
Honestly, I had no questions about that. I already know the differences, but I couldn't even stay awake long enough to think of a polite question. Suk was embarrassed. With only 9 other people there, it was obvious that I was nodding off, which in itself would not have been a crime.
After the priest left, we began cleaning up, and Sensei came right over to ask me if I was bored. Well, not bored. Just sleepy, but there is something else.
I have narcalepsy when it comes to listening to lectures. As soon as someone starts lecturing at me, I fall asleep. It started when I was in college, and I hated it. I tried everything to stay awake, but even in my most interesting, major-related classes where I had read all of the text materials and LOVED the professors, I couldn't control it. I would even sit in the first row of the lecture halls, thinking that my body would be more motivated to stay awake, but it didn't help. To this day, I often fall asleep at meetings, seminars, lectures, etc.
But, Suk thought I was being extremely rude, and he managed to bring it up to me during yet another fight over the weekend. It's not like I did it on purpose! And, you can't expect me to understand what the priest is saying, which makes it even harder to pay attention.
Suk didn't buy the claim that it is a physical disorder rather than a personality characteristic which I could potentially change. He brought up the example of the "sweating incident". He said he sweats a lot, but he cannot control it.
The "sweating incident" occurred at our very own wedding in the States. Imagine a large church filled with 80 of your friends, family and colleagues. The bride and groom are standing at the altar with the minister, and throughout the entire 60-minute ceremony, the groom is sweating so profusely that the sweat is actually dripping from his face. He continually uses a handkerchief to wipe his face, neck and hands. The minister pauses the ceremony to ask if he would like to "take a moment" outside. Later, people joke about it. "Was he scared about getting married?" "Didn't he want to get married?"
According to Suk, he had gone out drinking with some guys the night before for a mini-bachelor party, and though he had not consumed that much alcohol, it was the main reason for his sweat. Other reasons included the fact that he was a little nervous about standing in front of so many people, and that I had I was trembling a bit which caused him to become more nervous.
This reference to the "sweating incident" backfired on Suk because I told him how much embarrassment that incident had caused us, that people still joke about it, and that people actually thought he didn't want to be getting married.
Shocked into submission, Suk had nothing to say. Point taken. Uncontrollable physical disorder. Noted.
He left the room and came back about five minutes later a much nicer and affectionate husband.
Towards the end of the meal, SIL and Sensei invited the young Shinto priest to come in, so we could all thank him personally. Then, for some ungodly reason, they invited us to ask questions about Shintoism to the priest. Well, for once, these Japanese people actually HAD questions, and the priest went on and on in detail about the history of the shrine, how one becomes a priest...well, I am not sure what was said after that because I was nodding off...zonked out...long gone.
Suk was constantly tapping my foot and arms to jolt me awake, but it didn't help. People were watching me. The priest was droning on, and people were asking question after question. Then, MIL, turns to me and says, "Why don't you ask a question about the differences between Shinto and Christianity?"
Honestly, I had no questions about that. I already know the differences, but I couldn't even stay awake long enough to think of a polite question. Suk was embarrassed. With only 9 other people there, it was obvious that I was nodding off, which in itself would not have been a crime.
After the priest left, we began cleaning up, and Sensei came right over to ask me if I was bored. Well, not bored. Just sleepy, but there is something else.
I have narcalepsy when it comes to listening to lectures. As soon as someone starts lecturing at me, I fall asleep. It started when I was in college, and I hated it. I tried everything to stay awake, but even in my most interesting, major-related classes where I had read all of the text materials and LOVED the professors, I couldn't control it. I would even sit in the first row of the lecture halls, thinking that my body would be more motivated to stay awake, but it didn't help. To this day, I often fall asleep at meetings, seminars, lectures, etc.
But, Suk thought I was being extremely rude, and he managed to bring it up to me during yet another fight over the weekend. It's not like I did it on purpose! And, you can't expect me to understand what the priest is saying, which makes it even harder to pay attention.
Suk didn't buy the claim that it is a physical disorder rather than a personality characteristic which I could potentially change. He brought up the example of the "sweating incident". He said he sweats a lot, but he cannot control it.
The "sweating incident" occurred at our very own wedding in the States. Imagine a large church filled with 80 of your friends, family and colleagues. The bride and groom are standing at the altar with the minister, and throughout the entire 60-minute ceremony, the groom is sweating so profusely that the sweat is actually dripping from his face. He continually uses a handkerchief to wipe his face, neck and hands. The minister pauses the ceremony to ask if he would like to "take a moment" outside. Later, people joke about it. "Was he scared about getting married?" "Didn't he want to get married?"
According to Suk, he had gone out drinking with some guys the night before for a mini-bachelor party, and though he had not consumed that much alcohol, it was the main reason for his sweat. Other reasons included the fact that he was a little nervous about standing in front of so many people, and that I had I was trembling a bit which caused him to become more nervous.
This reference to the "sweating incident" backfired on Suk because I told him how much embarrassment that incident had caused us, that people still joke about it, and that people actually thought he didn't want to be getting married.
Shocked into submission, Suk had nothing to say. Point taken. Uncontrollable physical disorder. Noted.
He left the room and came back about five minutes later a much nicer and affectionate husband.
SIL and Sensei's Wedding Extravaganza
I wanted to write about SIL's wedding ceremony, but I don't want to go into much detail about the ceremony itself. I really would rather write about an "incident" that occurred.
Here is a rundown of the day. We awoke at 5:30 to travel to Tokyo and spend the day at a small shrine. Only 8 people were invited - the parents on both sides, the sibling on both sides and his/her wife/husband. We arrived at 8:30 and since there was a lot of downtime before the ceremony would start, I brought my dress, makeup and hair stuff with me and got dressed in one of the private rooms. I decided to do something experimental with my hair, which is normally down or in a simple ponytail. That was the funnest part of the day.
I finished dressing all too soon, and then we family members just waited around for SIL and Sensei to finish dressing. I was afraid to talk much because Suk always gives me dirty looks whenever I say anything mildly inappropriate. Okay, that is a foreshadowing of what is to come.
Turns out the father of Sensei is quite funny and loves to be the center of attention. Unfortunately, he likes to talk about baseball, which is not funny at all to me, but he does laugh a lot and he makes others laugh. He is much different from Sensei who is the quite, observent type.
Finally, SIL came out in all her glory - a beautiful white kimono with the headdress and cap. She had so much makeup on that you could barely recognize her. I think getting married in that kind of costume was something she had always secretly dreamed of, and that is why she paid for Suk and I to have professional photos taken of us wearing those Japanese wedding costumes. I'll add a photo of us later today. (I'm sorry but I cannot reveal the identity of SIL and Sensei due to the nature of their jobs, so no photos of them can be part of this blog!)
SIL and Sensei looked truly happy and calm with each other. I am so glad she found someone like him - really nice and smart, smart enough not to get in her way when she has an opinion about something, and she seems willing to compromise with him. I have to say that according to them, they DO argue and fight, even on their very first date! At least they don't fib like SOME couples we know who go around claiming that they have never had a fight!
On with the wedding. We posed for photos outside, and then proceeded to the shrine for the ceremony. Before the ceremony, the Shinto priest gave us a lecture about what to expect during the ceremony and how to do certain things. Why does he have to do this?
Well, because most Japanese know next to NOTHING about this religion, and the only time they whip it out is for ceremonies like this. Also, it is kind of rare to get invited to an authentic Shinto wedding. It was my second ceremony, but the first time for Suk. (The first wedding I attended resulted in d-i-v-o-r-c-e, so I didn't dare bring that to anyone's attention for fear of bring bad luck to the day, but how many times did people say to me, "Oh, it must be so interesting to experience this part of Japanese culture!" I wanted to say, "You tell me. Is it interesting?")
The ceremony took 40 minutes. There were two priests and an assistant. The young priest did all the work and then played some kind of flute during some parts. Oh my god...I much prefer Christian music with real words about eagles and mountains and ashes. I thought my ears were going to split in half. The old priest got up to do the most important parts of the ceremony, and every time he sat down, his stool would squeak like a loud fart. I wanted to die. (Another figure of speech which Japanese people do use all too often!)
After the ceremony, we noticed it had started to rain pretty hard. We were given umbrellas, and SIL and Sensei looked so cool sharing an umbrella. In Japan, sharing an umbrella with a lover is considered to be the ultra-romantic scenario. Plus, rain is good luck on your wedding day. (It rained on our wedding as well!)
Then, we went back to the waiting room and waited for about 90 minutes while SIL was changed into an orange kimono. They had to redo her makeup and hair, so it took a while. The mothers and Sensei changed into western clothes. Finally, it was time to eat lunch.
This is wear the story begins to get interesting, so I will continue in the next post.
Here is a rundown of the day. We awoke at 5:30 to travel to Tokyo and spend the day at a small shrine. Only 8 people were invited - the parents on both sides, the sibling on both sides and his/her wife/husband. We arrived at 8:30 and since there was a lot of downtime before the ceremony would start, I brought my dress, makeup and hair stuff with me and got dressed in one of the private rooms. I decided to do something experimental with my hair, which is normally down or in a simple ponytail. That was the funnest part of the day.
I finished dressing all too soon, and then we family members just waited around for SIL and Sensei to finish dressing. I was afraid to talk much because Suk always gives me dirty looks whenever I say anything mildly inappropriate. Okay, that is a foreshadowing of what is to come.
Turns out the father of Sensei is quite funny and loves to be the center of attention. Unfortunately, he likes to talk about baseball, which is not funny at all to me, but he does laugh a lot and he makes others laugh. He is much different from Sensei who is the quite, observent type.
Finally, SIL came out in all her glory - a beautiful white kimono with the headdress and cap. She had so much makeup on that you could barely recognize her. I think getting married in that kind of costume was something she had always secretly dreamed of, and that is why she paid for Suk and I to have professional photos taken of us wearing those Japanese wedding costumes. I'll add a photo of us later today. (I'm sorry but I cannot reveal the identity of SIL and Sensei due to the nature of their jobs, so no photos of them can be part of this blog!)
SIL and Sensei looked truly happy and calm with each other. I am so glad she found someone like him - really nice and smart, smart enough not to get in her way when she has an opinion about something, and she seems willing to compromise with him. I have to say that according to them, they DO argue and fight, even on their very first date! At least they don't fib like SOME couples we know who go around claiming that they have never had a fight!
On with the wedding. We posed for photos outside, and then proceeded to the shrine for the ceremony. Before the ceremony, the Shinto priest gave us a lecture about what to expect during the ceremony and how to do certain things. Why does he have to do this?
Well, because most Japanese know next to NOTHING about this religion, and the only time they whip it out is for ceremonies like this. Also, it is kind of rare to get invited to an authentic Shinto wedding. It was my second ceremony, but the first time for Suk. (The first wedding I attended resulted in d-i-v-o-r-c-e, so I didn't dare bring that to anyone's attention for fear of bring bad luck to the day, but how many times did people say to me, "Oh, it must be so interesting to experience this part of Japanese culture!" I wanted to say, "You tell me. Is it interesting?")
The ceremony took 40 minutes. There were two priests and an assistant. The young priest did all the work and then played some kind of flute during some parts. Oh my god...I much prefer Christian music with real words about eagles and mountains and ashes. I thought my ears were going to split in half. The old priest got up to do the most important parts of the ceremony, and every time he sat down, his stool would squeak like a loud fart. I wanted to die. (Another figure of speech which Japanese people do use all too often!)
After the ceremony, we noticed it had started to rain pretty hard. We were given umbrellas, and SIL and Sensei looked so cool sharing an umbrella. In Japan, sharing an umbrella with a lover is considered to be the ultra-romantic scenario. Plus, rain is good luck on your wedding day. (It rained on our wedding as well!)
Then, we went back to the waiting room and waited for about 90 minutes while SIL was changed into an orange kimono. They had to redo her makeup and hair, so it took a while. The mothers and Sensei changed into western clothes. Finally, it was time to eat lunch.
This is wear the story begins to get interesting, so I will continue in the next post.
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