Easter Bunny Luncheon

Today, I once again had the opportunity to hang out with some great ladies and share some culture. We had a luncheon with OIWC and I decided that we definitely needed the Easter bunny to make an appearance!!

So I dressed up in an Easter bunny suit and took gobs of pictures with all my Okinawan friends. It was great fun to see all the smiles and excitement. We tried to host a meal that was traditional for Easter dinner and I know that everyone had a good time.

We had a flamenco dance troupe perform (not Eastery but really awesome anyhow). The ladies were beautiful in their dresses and we were all completely impressed by their abilities.

I am going to miss OIWC like crazy when I leave here...it has been a very rewarding experience and I highly recommend it to any of my friends. It has been a great way to get to know the local people and share our cultures.

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Three Years Ago on In My Words...Friends

Konan Highschool, National Champions!!

I was able to catch most of the last game of the highschool national championships for baseball here in Japan. One of Okinawa's highschool, Konan, was in the final game with a team from Tokyo. They were winning in the 5th inning 5-3 but then the other team caught up and it stayed tied until the 12th, when Konan was able to score 5 runs in the top of the inning. Bottom of the 12th, the put the other team out of their misery and the game was over.

What was absolutely amazing was:

1. The pitcher pitched the entire game.

2. After winning, the team ran to the pitcher mound to congratulate each other but then quickly ran to the center of the field to stand across from their competitors, and bow to both them and then the crowd before shaking hands with the other team. Once completely this, they listened to the National Anthem of Japan, and then headed over to the foul line to bow to the crowd that supported them. The celebration was very subdued and mature. No fans on the field, no crying by either team, and long drawn out celebration on the field itself. They quickly interviewed the coach and team captains.

3. In Japan, players go from highschool baseball to the pros if they are selected. They don't have college baseball to pave the way to the pros like we do in the States so it was pretty cool to think that this game might have sealed the deal for a few of these young men to pursue a career doing something they really love at a very young age.

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Cleaning House

Car Crash

Okay, it isn't like I don't have tons to write about...it is just that I keep putting my writing on the back burner because other things jump to the front and need immediate attention. So I guess I will be putting together a few posts and scheduling some of them to be published later this week.

Anyhow, first off, I was in a traffic accident last week. A speeding moped driver tboned my car in the driver's side door while I was on my way to geocache on Sunday. I haven't been in an accident like that before, and it really rattled me. I found myself thinking about it the next two days all the time.

I was only cut up a bit and the moped driver broke his leg. It could have been a million times worse in so many ways so we are both pretty lucky, but it still is an unnerving experience. I was shaking so bad, I couldn't dial my phone when it first happened.

More than likely, the driver's side door will have to be replaced. I have to go through our safety inspection required here every two years, in April so I need to get this fixed as soon as possible.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Nekid as a Jaybird

The Negative of Facebook

While to most of us, it seems like Facebook gives us more opportunity to stay in touch and keep family and friends up to date...I sometimes have to wonder if it is the exact opposite.

Yes, I do check in with Facebook regularly (too regularly probably) and when I do post something new on my main blog, it does feed into my Facebook Notes to update my friends and family there. The problem is that because I feel like I am so connected, I have completely slacked off on any real correspondence, and believe me, I am a corresponder. I don't write emails much, I don't write snail mails much, and I definitely don't make phone calls. I have gotten so used to providing little "bites" of info, that I really feel like I don't have much to say that would be worth spending time writing an email,letter or even a blog post for that matter.

Reality is that I am providing "tidbits" to hundreds of friends on Facebook daily and to those that read my blog when I update it, but nothing really personal and definitely nothing to those that don't use computers, like our grandparents. Due to my need to maintain a bit of anonymonity I have to keep things a bit vague and inpersonal on the web, so that dictates a certain level of correspondence on Facebook and Blogger.

There is no excuse though, for emails, letters and phone calls that I am just not making to those close to me. I need to get back to writing personal, real correspondence to those I love. It has been too long.

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Five Years Ago on In My Words...Procrastination Has Taken Over

Curiousity

I am wondering why:

- there is a lanyard hole on my tv and dvd remote controls? Does anyone really put a lanyard on their remote? And if they do, do they then wear it around their neck?

- FBI warnings on DVDs are only in English and French? Are we the only people that might illegal copy and distribute movies?

- is the only reason that George Constanza can tell so many lies is because he lives in NYC where he is unlikely to run into the same person twice?

- are George and Jerry the only guys in history that fret about stuff as much as they do, or do all guys do it and we women just don't know about it?

- my DVD player doesn't believe me when I push the open button? Does it think I am joking when I push the button?

- is wondering how anything I want to do can be "prohibited by disc"? Isn't it my disc? Don't I get to say?

Note: this was written while I was on bed rest with vertigo and my only amusement was my Seinfeld DVDs.

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One Year Ago on In My Words...Observations

Tea Ceremony

Tomorrow, I get to go to another tea ceremony but this time, I am wearing my kimono that I wore to a luncheon a few months ago. I am excited that I get to wear it again before I leave here...all those pieces and parts need to be used more than once, right?

I have another kimono that I recently acquired at a luncheon auction, and I need to find the pieces and parts for it as well since it is less formal than the one I have all the parts for, so it requires its own set. I will need new cords, new undergarments, a new obi, and new shoes...but then I can wear those things with any other "non-formal" kimono I get.

I hoping that there will be people in Hawaii that can help me wear it once in a while. I know there is an Okinawan community there...perhaps, they will let me bug them every so often.

We'll see. Anyhow, climbing through the little door in kimono should be interesting...I'll let you know how it goes...

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6 Months Ago on In My Words...Kimono Adventure

Doing Something Good

Today was a nice day. I was able to participate in a great thing. An organization I am part of, was able to award a significant amount of money to an orphan here so that she might go to an ESL school in Minnesota this summer.

I know that doesn't sound like much, but kids in orphanages here don't have the same opportunities that regular kids have. Not only that, but she is a girl and this makes this event an even more unusual opportunity.

So we met at the orphanage, had a tour, met the director, talked with some of the kids and took a lot of pictures. We presented Ryoko with a oppportunity. She responded with a handwritten thank you speech that she delivered perfectly.

Reality is, the ESL school is not very long, and she won't come back fluent in English, but with any luck at all, she will discover a desire and interest in English, and the opportunities that speaking English along with her own language might provide her in the future.

Maybe we gave her a chance today...we'll see what she does with it. It was an honor to be part of it.

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Last Year on In My Words...Peek-a-boo

Just A Little Shake

Okay, so we had this little earthquake that hit our small island this morning, and woke us all from a deep slumber. It was definitely the longest shaker I have ever experienced (and I had a few quakes in So Cal in college). I fortunately had no damage, although a few of my friends did have some breakage of shelved items (mostly those living in multifloored buildings). We almost immediately went into a tsunami warning which was lifted within the hour.

I was able to get on Facebook almost immediately via my cellphone in my bedroom, and then I came out to the computer so I could get connected to JMA website to check the magnitude, location and depth. Everyone else here was awake and on Facebook as well, so we all let each other know we were okay, and by updating our own status', hoped that our families back home would also know we were okay.

It seems that due to the earthquake in Haiti, the news is very sensitive to earthquakes, because this is the first one I have ever been in here, that made CNN. Of course, most of you know that Chile had an 8.8 hit them this afternoon (JST), and probably is experiencing some of the devastation that Haiti did so our news is mild in comparison.

We are lucky here. Japan sits on the "ring of fire" and in "typhoon alley" so our structures here are built to withstand earthquakes and typhoons (something a few places in the States could learn from). Only those in rural areas, living in traditional homes that were built before earthquake standards, were enacted would be at risk of really losing much. Obviously, a tsunami would be dangerous for any of us living close to the water regardless of the structure.

So while our earthquake here definitely was the topic of conversation today, I am thrilled to say we are all okay and that our thoughts are now for those suffering in both Haiti and Chile.

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Five Years Ago on In My Words...Birds

Olympic Coverage Woes

Let me start of by staying that I am thankful for the amount of coverage I have been able to see so far away from home. Between the US coverage and the Japanese coverage we are able to see just about anything we want regarding the Olympics.

Okay, so my peeve has to do with the fact that NBC is spending WAY too much time talking to people that are NOT competing!! I want to see the events, not watch Bob Costas try to get athletes to fight each other through the media while sitting near a fireplace. I was able to ignore it for a while but the other day when Evan (from the US) won the Men's Figure Skating gold medal and then had not just one but two different interviews with Bob Costas and all Bob did was try to get him to say bad things about his competitors. Congrats to go to Evan for not only providing a gold medal performance on the ice but being an outstanding person and not getting sucked into whatever drama Bob was trying to get started. Bob even went so far as to try to get Dick Button to talk smack against the silver medalist since obviously Evan wasn't going to. I know that is not just Bob Costas but NBC as a whole. Regardless it pisses me off.

Now today, I am watching Olympics that I recorded earlier, since I was volunteering during the airing of it. And I only have one question for NBC....was there really nothing else you could have been showing us that you had time to interview a SUMMER olympic athlete for twenty minutes???? He is just a spectator here, and I could give a crap what he thinks about being a spectator...I want to see the current OLYMPICS...that means the sports that are being done at that moment. Get off the sofa and away from the fireplace and show me some damn sports!!!

(Note too, that Bob tried to get Micheal Phelps to talk smack about one of his competitors too....grrr)

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Three Years Ago on In My Words...Sounds Like...

Today

It didn't start off that great...I woke up feeling worse than the day before physically and had slept in much later than I wanted (which always makes me mad) even though my body probably needed it (not to mention that I didn't even get to bed until 1am).

As it progressed, I did start to feel better. I think when you have a cold, you always feel terrible when you first get out of bed anyhow. I took some tylenol so my throat would stop throbbing and I weighed my options on whether to take any other cold medicine. This head cold has been a bit different than most in that I am not stuffed up (at least my nose is not stuffed up) so I really don't want to take a decongestant if I don't have to...my ears do feel stuffy though. So I might break down and take a decongestant tomorrow if I am not starting to feel a change.

Enough about the cold. Anyway, I didn't get a lot accomplished today since I was trying to take it easy. I did help some people on Google's help board for Blogger, along with knocking out the dusting around here (it was bugging me). I managed to sit outside for a bit when the sun was peaking out and that felt terrific.

Tonight, I managed to soak in our jet tub in some nice hot water, with the window open putting cool air on my face. It reminded me so much of sitting in our hot tub in North Carolina in the winter time. It was very nice and definitely a good way to end the day.

So overall, in the normal Mishka definition of a good day (one with lots of check marks off the to do list), it wasn't a good day, but in reality, I don't have a lot to complain about...sun on my face and nice soaks to wrap it up is not too bad. I think I will have to call it a good one even with the head cold.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Making Soup

Olympics Are Here

For the last three days, I have been watching the Winter Olympics in the morning, and recording it in the afternoon. We get a broadcast in the middle of the night too which I have not yet tried to record for viewing later but will probably have to do as events come on that I am most interested in.

The winter olympics always seem so much harsher to me...probably the ice and cold is what gives me that feeling. When people fall, get hurt or injured, it just seems harder. I love many of the events in Winter Olympics...but I find myself squinting my eyes at the TV when they are doing something particularly difficult so I won't see if they fall and hurt themselves pushing themselves to the limit and beyond.

The passion and drive of all of these athletes always amazes me. I feel for them if they are not able to acheive their dreams. I realize that everyone is not going to win gold but when an athlete fails to do their best, is injured qualifying or weather takes them out, it makes me sad because you want to compete at your best and then the scores are what they are. When someone who has worked so hard for this moment loses it because of something outside their own control, that is when I feel bad for them.

Another thing that just amazes me is how comfortable all the athletes are with their sports. Skaters walk on skates is if they have always been attached to their feets and skiers and snowboarders do the same...I have never had that comfort level on my own two feet much less on something foreign and I think I envy them that a bit. I have to tell myself that it is from weeks, months and years of time being spent using that skate or ski that they get that comfort level, but they still all look so relaxed and comfortable in their elements.

So as the couple's short program in figure skating draws to a close for today, I look forward to what might be coming up in the next two weeks. I hope that some of you are able to tune in for your favorite events as well.

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Guts and Determination

Focusing On The Good Things

Seems like every once in a while I find myself in a bit of a negative rut...where all I do is notice the bad things and tend to be perpetually peeved...usually after a bit of time, I realize this and take action to change my perspective/outlook.

This is one of those times...the negativity hasn't been too bad this time but I still have seen it there and I hate when it takes a good hold and I start seeing it reflected in the mirror. Being negative gives me wrinkles, causes me to get sick, and gives me excuses for being lazy in fitness, education, and overall task completing.

Focusing on the good things that happen everyday is one of the ways I get out of this rut...and it really does work. Instead of thinking about the issues that might have pissed me off throughout the day, I try to see each of the reason why the day should be labeled as good. Now this is not a matter of sugar-coating, I am not trying to say that everyday is a perfect day, but it is a way of seeing the glass is half full rather than half empty.

Everyone has their ups and downs and each day does too, but for the most part, unless you have been hit by a bus, the day should really end on a positive value than on a negative, right?

Have you ever noticed that only the bad news seems to make the news? Well, having a negative outlook seems to be the same thing but on a individual level. You can notice the few small things that might have sucked during the day and count the day as a loss overall, or you can look at the millions of positive things that happened that you really didn't even notice and call the day a positive one...it is for you to decide.

This all goes in hand with my plan to focus on me, getting things together, figuring out where I am at, and if I want to be there, and if not, making changes to get where I want to be. Spring is on its way and focusing on the positive is just the thing this new season needs.

Periodic self evaluation can be a good thing, it can help you stay on track and it can help you be more productive and determined. Being that I am in the midst of a few personal goals, this is perfect timing for me to have a new fresh outlook full of positive energy.

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Five Years Ago on In My Words...Tolerance is a 9 Letter Word

Shake Rattle and Roll

We had a little rumbler early this morning. I actually woke up while it was rolling to me because I could hear it. I find it so strange that we can hear earthquakes but I guess with all that land mass moving around, there has got to be some noise from it.

This guy was a little one so it really only felt like someone was trying to wake me up by shaking the bed a bit. Nothing dramatic but I do remember it and I remember looking at the clock so I could check it out on the web in the morning. The Japanese Meterological Agency's website is pretty thorough and up to date which is nice. I use it for typhoons as well.

Anyhow, all is well here, but it is strange for me to feel two earthquakes so close together...wonder if we'll be getting a decent sized one in the near future?

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Three Years Ago on In My Words...Grandma's Pillowcases

Down and Out

This is not news to some of you that know me on Facebook but over the last week or so, I have been dealing with a bit of vertigo from a probable inner/middle ear infection. It was really bad on Monday night but has steadily gotten better. I was able (with the help of some great friends) to get some medication on Tuesday morning to help with the dizziness and since then I have been taking it easy and trying to feel better.

Over the last couple of days, I have been able to start back to my usual activities, and I think tomorrow is going to be my first day trying to get some exercise. Nothing crazy, probably just a walk on the beach for some seaglass or something...but I need to do something.

We had friends move away recently and they left some food with us. Some of this food is very quick and easy to make, and being that I have been feeling crappy, quick and easy is the best mode. Unfortunately, quick and easy also means not so great for you. Being stuck in the house means that I have more time to munch on things and it just seems like I am eating all the time and most of it hasn't been good for me.

Tomorrow is my day to start back towards my previously heathly lifestyle...I will be working on the giftstore books for most of the day, but I am going to clean some things out of the cupboards so I am not tempted and then I will get a walk in, if nothing else. I want to get back to the Wii Fit Plus but I am not sure my balance is up for that just yet....haha.

During my week of rest and relaxation, my To Do list did nothing but grow but on Tuesday I was able to knock out a few tasks that had been lingering and this gave me such a great feeling. This great feeling should carry me on to more tasks but somehow, a few days get in between tasks and the feeling fades and I have to start from scratch all over again...ugh!! I wish I could find that great feeling and just bottle it for when I needed some motivation.

I am thrilled though that all of this did get a blog post out of me (another item on the task list)...so all is not lost...hehe.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Musubi

Slacker

I hate that even when I KNOW I am getting a lot of others things done, there are certain things that will make me feel like a slacker if I don't accomplish them.

These things are exercise (which should be the highest priority), corresponding, and time doing all the little things that I am interested in but don't seem to find time for (Japanese studying, writing, guitar, piano, beading, cards, geocaching...etc). This third thing is a real bugger since I can see evidence of these interests all over the house...One of the few things I do devote time to regardless is my reading...have to have my reading.

Lately, corresponding and writing have been the top of the list of things that I have been slacking on. Writing is a release for me and I have always loved it, and used it to my benefit. I have kept a journal since I was in the 6th grade. Corresponding with family and friends has always been something I have enjoyed and taken time for but it seems in the last year, I haven't been very good at staying on top of it.

Part of why I am writing this post is because I hate that I haven't been blogging like I want to, but of course right now I am supposed to be out of the house in 25 minutes and I am still drinking my morning coffee and sitting in my pajamas so this will not be my best composition. I can't tell if it is better that I am writing something or if I should wait and write something better....catch 22 on that.

So here is an attempt to not be a slacker....hopefully I can keep it up.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Done Messing Around

Just Stuff

So, I guess if you don't know me on Facebook, you probably don't know that my PC went down the other day and I have not been able to get it back up. Looks like the motherboard is toast which I am trying to think of, in a positive light, as an opportunity to upgrade my system. Irritating part is that I can't just upgrade the motherboard since this computer has been so loyal and stable since I built in 2003 and nothing internally is the same now as it was. Turns out (big surprise) that technology has continued on and some of it is completely new to me...which means that I have been doing some research so that I can build something that we meet our needs and be "current" for at least a while. So I am looking at, a new power supply, new motherboard, new CPU, new RAM and new harddrive...the only thing I can salvage from the old system is the ATX box, the USB card readers, and the two DVD burners.

My old hard drive is not dead and fortunately, I did back it up recently, but I still have a few things on it that I don't have backed up (recent pictures and documents). So I bought this contraption the other day that I can use to turn an internal harddrive into an external harddrive. This means I can connect the old harddrive to a working computer and then hook my back up drive to the same computer and transfer the data I want off that old harddrive off. I also then need to wipe that drive if I want to use it on the new system as a back up since I really want to reuse my OS license on the new computer when I am done building it...

All of this of course couldn't fall at a worse time of the year for me...this is when I do my year end filing and get ready for tax season. Having my computer in pieces in my office is just not conducive to getting any other "year end" tasks done.

On another note, I am thoroughly enjoying my new Stephen King book. Usually I get one of his books (near Christmas), and I push everything else off to the side and read it in about 3 days (and am then bummed that it is over so quick). This time, the book is huge, and I have been so busy that I can only really read at night before bed. This means I am getting a lot more time out of this one and I love it. The story is set in a New England town (big surprise) and there are nice characters and not so nice characters in this town. All of them are so believable that I find myself getting mad at the not so nice characters when they do mean things to the others. I can picture them all, as well as the town itself, and the situation that they all find themselves in. This means that even after the book is done, I'll be wondering what the characters are doing for weeks.

Finally, besides looking for a paying job, I am also trying to write more (here, in my journal, and in my writing workbooks). I have had a few ideas and I want to get them down. I want to get back to my Japanese too because it really has been put off to the side in all the "busy-ness" I have encountered over the last few months. Since I am taking back some of my time, writing, creating, and studying are high on my list of things I want to focus on. Last but not least, exercising is back on the front burner for me....and it feels good to be able to find a routine again. I really has some good results before the holidays really got underway and I want to stay motivated.

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Three Years Ago on In My Words...My Towels Animals

I Believe

This is a guided freewriting exercise I did a while back, and just reread...I liked what it said and I thought it was appropriate for my current state of mind. Enjoy.

I Believe

I believe in love at first sight. I believe in the calm before the storm. I believe in making wishes on dandelions. I believe in caring enough about the people around you that you overlook their flaws. I believe in being fair. I believe in the National Anthem. I believe in listening to kids when they talk. I believe in the love in a pet's eyes. I believe in hoping for the best and being willing to try. I believe in green. I believe in life. I believe in giving when its not expected of you. I believe in second chances. I believe in women. I believe in learning as much as you can. I believe in breathing fresh air. I believe that taking time for sun rises and sun sets is good for your heart. I believe in elderly people. I believe in veterans. I believe in having an open mind. I believe in keeping it simple. I believe in mountains, creeks, oceans, and trees. I believe in honesty.

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Back At It

Happy New Year!!!

Okay, this has been a busy year for me. I have taken on new tasks and responsibilities but have also let some other things slide. I have enjoyed all the time I have been able to give back to the community in the last two years, but I do see that winding down as we prepare to move again. I have a limited amount of time left here in Japan and I want to make the most of it. I can't believe that we are already out of the first decade of the 2000's...wow, time flies.

I hate doing New Year's resolutions, especially with my perfectionist personality because it generally just means one more thing on my To Do list...that might or might not get done and then I might or might not feel bad about.

So let's just say this....I plan to be more flexible, both physically and mentally (and for those that know me the mental part will take some work). I plan to spend more time on myself and get back to some of the things that I love to do and have not had time for. I plan on trying to get some paid experience under my belt so I will be prepared to re-enter the workforce full steam after we leave here. I want to enjoy things that I will miss from here while I can and experience some new things before we go. I want to look in the mirror and admire the person I see there (both mentally and physically) and that means devoting some time to me (both mentally and physically).

There is a lot to be done and not much time to do it in so I am tackling the New Year with gusto and anticipation of all it holds. Tonight we are heading down to the beach for a party with our friends, some food and a bonfire. The wind is blowing fierce and it will be chilly I am sure.

I hope this finds everyone else enjoying their holidays, and staying safe and healthy!!! Happy New Year!!!

Old Family Friends

One great thing about the holidays is that you get to reconnect with people that you might not hear from on a day to day basis...especially when you live as far away as we do.

R has been a friend of our family since I was a little kid and lived in a commune in Compton, California...that translates to many, many years. We have been off and on in touch most of my life.

He recently recorded himself singing a duet with himself and wanted me to post his video....since it is a Christmas carol...I thought it nicely appropriate...so here goes!!!

Kitty Flu

Chase has all the symptoms of the kitty flu...weeping eyes, running nose, sneezing and what I think is also coughing. I have been trying to hold out from going to the vet because all my books and research say that it is viral and as long as she is not getting cloudy, white/green mucus coming out, she is still okay and that it can last 7 10 days just like it does with humans.

I have been keeping her indoors at night so far and giving her lots of pets and tons of food to keep her immune system humming. She acts pretty much normal so I am not too worried but I feel bad for her as I wipe her eyes and face a few times a day that I can't explain to her "blow" so she could just get some of it out...she knows I am trying to help her and she is a pretty tolerant cat anyhow so it hasn't been too bad.

One of the things recommended to make them more comfortable is to put saline drops in their eyes and nose to help break up the mucus....somehow I don't think she would enjoy this. Another one is to take them in the bathroom when you are showering so the humidity can help break it up...and I have considered running a hot bath and putting her in the room with it while it is steaming to see if it helps her at all (not in the bath itself though). We can't do the shower thing as the entire room is a shower and she would get soaked being in there while either of us was showering...but the bath is definitely a possibility for tonight.

If she stops eating or seems to get much worse, I will take her to a local vet here and see what they can do...thing is that antibiotics won't help her unless things get a lot worse...and since antibiotics also give her gastrial intestinal problems that neither of us want to deal with, I think we will wait and see how she feels in the next couple of days...poor kitty.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Chase's Catnip Christmas
Chase fully enjoying a little catnip toy at Christmas time.

Tree Up

So I did manage to cross off quite a few items this last week and getting the tree up, and the house decorated was one of them. I had to buy a new tree this year (just like the old one, only less expensive somehow) and it seems to be a bit fuller than the old one as well. It is a small tree since we don't do a real one here, and I usually set it up on our DVD cabinet. We use LED lights we bought in the States that don't get hot, last forever and are very bright. I am able to leave them on all the time so the tree always looks twinkly and bright. This is nice since it took me weeks to even get it up and decorated, so I have to get in all my "tree" time I can...haha.

So due to the fact that we are using the little tree, I have to be selective in what ornaments go on it. Every year that J and I have been married, we have a new ornament so I have to get out each year's ornament and make sure I have them all. Those go on for sure. Then I also have a few favorites that are small enough to fit on this baby tree. Unfortunately most of my bigger ornaments won't be out and about until we are someplace again where we will have a bigger tree.

I managed to put out our stockings, a stocking/wreath on the front door, some Christmasy candle holders and our Christmas cards around the entry door to the livingroom. Overall, the place looks like a little bit of Christmas touched us and I am enjoying the season knowing I am pretty much finished with all the tasks.

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Trees and Snowflakes
I haven't cut any snowflakes this year...but it sounds like fun so I might have to do a few for our sliders...

Christmas Fun Or Not

It is supposed to be the season of cheer, joy and well wishing but it seems like it has gotten lost behind stress, pressure and greed somewhere a long the line. I want to enjoy the season but as of right now I don't even have my decorations up because I have just not been in the mood nor have had the time (I do actually intend to remedy that right after I post this).

I made about 50 cards in November (when I was feeling some motivation) and put most of them up for sale at our little gift store. I figured that if they didn't all sell by the time I started addressing and sending out cards, I could always use them for my own cards. I managed to crank out 40 more over the last two weeks (mostly it was just that I have been so busy that I couldn't devote any direct time to them).

Today, I was able to send out 40 cards...mostly to those east of the Rockies since it takes longer for mail to get to them than it does for our west coast friends and families. I also pulled those cards I had at the store so I can start addressing and mailing them out as well....so in reality, I should be feeling pretty good about it all.

J and I decided (actually, he didn't get a say) that we would do donations gifts for those that we normally exchange gifts with, with the exception of bookstore giftcards for nieces and nephews. This of course, has made my Christmas much easier because even though I tend to shop all throughout the year during our travels, I only wrap and package in the weeks before Christmas and due to the distance we have to get things in the mail very early. I didn't have to worry about that this year...all I had to do was these cards...so really, I have no excuse for feeling humbugish...must just be all the other stuff I have on my plate that is causing me to not feel the season. I think too that Christmas starts so early now...we had Christmas stuff in the stores here before Halloween, that makes me a bit sick of it by the time it rolls around.

So as of this post, and the dispursement of my Christmas decorations, I am determined to get into the spirit. I think I can manage that for at least the two weeks we have left...and then I can get back to the craziness of normal life after the New Year!!!

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Five Years Ago on In My Words...Bathroom Kitty A funny little story from when we first moved to NC.

My Christmas

Hey look! Survey time! For those of you bloggers or those who are reading on Facebook, please feel free to copy and reuse for yourself. In all your "free time" this holiday season. Heh.


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Both...I like Eggnog but know it is so bad for me and can only really drink it one or two times, but I love hot chocolate as long as the weather is chilly.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? As a kid, Santa did both, but I think that for the most part, our Santa wraps them ahead of time but usually stuffs the stockings with unwrapped small items...

3. Colored or white lights on tree/house? Colored and blinking randomly...

4. Do you hang mistletoe? If I have some and remember to, but it doesn't last from year to year...gets thrown away at the end of the season.

5. When do you put your decorations up? In years past, it was the day after Tday but this year, I still don't have anything up and we are already at the 6th...guess I better get to it.


6. What is your favorite holiday food? Mashed potatoes, cheddar squash bake, or stuffing...any of the three make me very happy.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? I don't know that I have a favorite, but I do remember the Christmas that I got my ballerina Barbie pretty vividly for some reason...

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My mom could probably answer this better than I can. I don't remember it being a big revelation...I just knew at some point that my parents were involved. I do remember being re-convinced of his existence when I was in middle school because he came to visit all of us kids in the middle of the night and woke us all up.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? As a kid, we always opened one gift on Christmas Eve and then the rest had to wait until Christmas morning (even if we didn't get a fun gift that night). These days, we don't have much under the tree (being that we are so far away from family), so I think we open everything on Christmas day.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? While living in Japan, we do a different scenario than we would if we were in the States. Here we have a small fake tree that we put up on one of our cabinets. I put lights and are ornaments from each year on it and that is about it because it is really little. In the States, we usually have all our ornaments out and we either have a real dead tree or a real potted tree depending on our location and the availability of potted trees.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I love snow...

12. Can you ice skate? Don't know because I have never been ice skating.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I think this answer would change over the years...I have particular gifts that stand out, but I don't know that I would call any of them my favorite.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Friends and family (if we can swing the family part logistically).

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Pumpkin pie or my mom's Mexican fruit cake.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? One that I don't get to do anymore...caroling. I love to sing and I miss that we used to go to friend's houses when I was younger and we would all sing Christmas songs. Music has always been a pretty big thing in my house growing up and I miss that.

17. What tops your tree? Here, I have a little angel ornament that gets put up there, but in the States when we have a bigger tree, I have a capiz shell star that lights up.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Honestly? Both.

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? I don't like to eat them by themselves but I don't mind them dipped in hot chocolate...

20. Favorite Christmas show/movie? All the ones from when I was a kid, Rudolph, Frosty, and Charlie Brown...

21. Saddest Christmas song? Don't think I have one.

22. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Funny, since I am not religious, but Martina McBride's rendition of Oh Holy Night is one of my favorites to listen to. Dona Nobis Pacem is my favorite to sing and I usually can be caught singing it all year long...

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Five Years Ago on In My Words...Locked Out

Muy Feo

Okay, I think I purchased the ugliest pet fish out there today...but it is cute in an odd sort of way. It is a white, mottled fancy goldfish (meaning it has a really great tail). It has one black eye, and ruby red lips like it is wearing lipstick. Seems to be adapting to aquarium life okay...along with the two other fancy goldfish I bought at the same time so they would know people when they moved into the neighborhood....I tried to capture some pictures...my apologies in advance if they aren't clear as it wouldn't stop moving enough for me to get a decent shot of it.

I need to think of a name for it....right now I am calling it "Feo"...but I don't know if that one is going to stick or not...

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Whip Lash

Project Kaisei: voyage to clean up the plastic vortex - CNN.com

It would be so hard for me to go to this place and not stay there until it was all cleaned up...this is exactly why I don't do individual plastic drink bottles anymore and why I have stopped using plastic bags too...humans should be ashamed of themselves for letting this happen to the ocean.

Hopefully now that we are aware, we can get to cleaning it up before we permanently damage the ocean. We know now that our existence on this plant depends on the environment around us and the ocean is one of the most important parts of that environment.

We need to get out of the mindset of convenience and the present tense, and start thinking about doing what is right for everything living on this planet and the future for all of us.

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...My God! It's Full Of Stars

Flu or No Flu?

I keep hearing from all sorts of friends and relatives in the States (mostly via Facebook), about everyone getting the flu this year...(not necessarily H1N1 but the regular flu). So I am wondering...

1. Is it just a case of people talking about their ailments more this year?

2. Are more people actually getting the regular flu this year than any other year I can remember?

3. Or is the fact the media has talked so much about H1N1 and the regular flu this year just made everyone think about it so much that they are basically "willing" themselves to have it?

I am beginning to wonder if it is just not a just collective lowering of the immune system due to media hype, that is causing everyone to get sick. I swear I have not heard about this many people getting the regular flu in the past as I have this year. I know that the mist "shot" this year is a live virus so perhaps more people are getting it from that, although those that are talking about being sick have not mentioned that they got the "shot" this year either.

I have not had the flu this year and I hope to not get it. Of course now that I have talked about it on here, not only will I get it, you will get it too for reading about it because I am just propagating the media machine...haha.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Urinal Balls

Typhoon Lupit

Not tracking towards us at all but is supposed to reach Super Typhoon (Cat 5 Hurricane) strength in the next few days and will (if it follows its current tracking) be the third direct hit to the island of Luzon in the Philippines in the last 2 months...that place just can't take another hit and this one looks strong so far.

News reports already have people evacuating out its path.

I love the image of it though...so defined and organized and still not even up to full strength...

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Epiphany

Little Miss Erika

I had the priviledge of watching this angel the other day for my friend. She is a happy, easy baby and it was a treat to have her to myself for a few hours. She definitely likes to be talked to and have all eyes on her (but what girl doesn't...). She has so many expressions, it is impossible to only take one picture of her. Funny thing is, that she would smile for me, face to face but as soon as I would put the camera up, the smile would go away (she couldn't see my face anymore). So I got more shots of her looking a bit perplexed, than ones of her smiling.

Mom and Dad will have to beat the boys off with a stick when she gets older...I don't envy them the teenage years with this little one...she is a big flirt already.

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One Year Ago on In My Words...Rocktoberfest This one is perfect since Rocktoberfest is this coming weekend.

Amazing Colors

I had to pull over and take this picture today. A storm was bearing down on us but the sun was shining brightly and the water had such beautiful colors in it. So many times, I see something beautiful and don't take the time to stop and record it. This time, I found a spot and took advantage of it. The light was just too cool to pass up.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Fish S3x

My Memory Board

Here is a pic of the memory board that the Sakura class (4 year olds) made for me after I subbed for them for two weeks. I love how they drew my picture on it with my curly hair and sunglasses on my head. (I blurred out my name in two spots). I was so touched by it and I am so excited to have it to keep. What an amazing experience.

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Three Years Ago on In My Words...Fantastic Foliage

Weather On My Side of the World

Just love this picture from the JMA site....both storms in one shot. Parma is hanging out and probably flooding parts of the Philippines before it looks like it is going give Taiwan a drive by, and Melor has moved through the Guam/Yap area (haven't heard how much damaged might have been caused there), and is going to turn up this way towards mainland Japan. We aren't supposed to get anything but some peripheral weather from either of them but they are sure beautiful to look at on this satellite image.

I have heard on the news that Taiwan has evacuated some of the hill villages in anticipation, since the last storm that went through that region flooded everything and killed people. From what I have heard Manila (which flooded just last week from another storm) is being spared from Parma for the most part, but if Parma hangs out for the three days that it is forcasted for, they could still end up with more rain than they need during this recovery period.

We are cloudy and rainy today and I am sure it will last until Melor gets past us and up towards mainland. It is nice because it means that I don't have to water, but it also means that all the other yardwork I need to do is kind of on hold....

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Epiphany

Teaching Preschoolers

For the last two weeks, I have had the priviledge to fill in for my friend at her job teaching preschoolers English on Fridays. It is only one day for less than an hour but it is the best way to start the day, seriously.

There are two classes, one of three year olds and one of four year olds. We teach each class for about 20 minutes. The curriculm involves lots of singing, standing up, dancing, and pointing out letters and numbers on flash cards.

I was a bit nervous the first day on my own (I went the week before with my friend to just see what she did and be introduced to the kids). It is funny how little kids can do that to you but I think I was more afraid that they wouldn't like me.

No problem there...soon enough, you realize that no one else speaks English so if you make up stuff or goof up, no one knows and no one cares. As long as the kids repeat what you say and are smiling at you, you are doing good.

So I boned up on my Old MacDonald and Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes and went for it. It was so much fun.

When we leave the second class, the kids get up and want to high five you and tell you goodbye over and over again. Then when you get out to the yard, if there are kids out there with their teacher, they will stop paying attention to the teacher and shout goodbye to you over and over while waving until you are in your car and driving away.

This last Friday was my friend's first day back but I guess the school thought I might be there so they made this cute little memory board for me with pictures of me teaching the class and the kids drew pictures of me on it as well. It was so cute and now I have this awesome experience to take back with me when I leave here someday.

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Bug Issues

Car For One

Look at this cute little car I was behind the other day...it had three wheels...like an enclosed moped basically.

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Travel Karma

Melor Too?

Okay, now it looks like Parma might not come too close to us (assuming it doesn't turn north at the last minute), but we have Melor churning out there as well...both could be within weather distance of us in the next few days...even if neither gets close enough to hit us. I am excited to see what the satellite imagery looks like when they are both in the same screen...

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One Year Ago on In My Words...Outdoor Kitty Today is the 1st anniversary of moving the litter box outdoors...yeah!!!

Kimono Adventure

Okay, I promised to post some pics from my kimono experience. Since this is a public blog, I can't put any recognizable pictures of myself but I can show you parts and pieces. These are all duplicates from the album I posted a week ago on Facebook. If you hover the mouse over (at least in Blogger) it will give you a description for the image.










It was a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was not uncomfortable at all, and I didn't feel restricted in my movement either. The one thing I had to do was sit up straight because any time I tried to lean back in my chair, I could feel the obi knot being squashed.

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One Year Ago on In My Words...Chase in Miniature

Crazy Weather

Okay, both the Philippines and Vietnam get slammed by a tropical storm this week causing flooding and deaths, then Samoa gets hit with a huge earthquake that caused tsunamis all over Asia and now Indonesia just got hit by another big earthquake which has the Indian Ocean on alert for tsunamis...on top of this we have at least two tropical storms/typhoons churning out there...whew!!! The rest of the summer was pretty unexciting but I guess Mother Nature has decided to pack it all in at once.

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Three Years Ago on In My Words...Spectators

Parma

Well, we have a doozy of a storm churning out there. It is over Palau and Yap right now and we can't see the tracks out far enough to see if it is going to turn up our way, but I am sure we will get some weather (which we need the rain) from it at some point next week.

It is already very well formed...I love the definition you can see near the eye of the storm...you can see the depth and strength of it. I hope it gets a bit closer to us and we get a decent storm this year...so far it is has been pretty slow in the storm category.

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...TriMet

Yummy In My Tummy

I haven't induldged in Coco's curry for quite some time...usually it is because when I am out on the road, I am not ready to eat and when I am home, and hungry, driving out to get food is not on my agenda...needless to say, I have been craving it but not getting it.

So the other day, it was lunchtime and I was on my way home (right past Coco's) and I decided to get an order to go (since I didn't have a book with me to keep me amused at the restaurant).

I got the corn salad (and I am hooked on corn salads) with sesame dressing and a half order of seafood curry. It was yummmyyyyy!!!

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Three Years Ago on In My Words...In Geocaching News

Construction Woes

What is the deal with our homes and construction? If you have read my blog for a while, you will know that last house was nice and serene until after the first winter when they decided to build a house, and then a second house (not at the same time but consectutively). So it really shouldn't surprise me that it is happening yet again (although this is a rental).

This lot has been sitting vacant (used for parking) for the last two years. This is the only window in my entire house that looks out from our property...all others are internal to our fortress-like walls. As you can see, there is a small grassy field (which our owner owns) and then the dirt lot at the corner.

The first day of construction, they brought out the big back hoe and tractors and started leveling the dirt lot. They seemed to dig awfully close to our fence as well onto our owner's land. There is not much I can say since I don't own the land and I did inform our rental company so they could let the owner know just in case he hasn't driven by recently.

Now, and I'll have to post the picture later, I have big huge hills of dirt behind the house with rebarb and cement forms. Hopefully whatever they are building won't be too huge or they will be able to see over our fortress-like walls and all privacy (since 1/3 of the house is glass) will be gone.

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Three Years Ago on In My Words...Tiles

Fruit Bats Galore

The other night, I was heading out for a walk...sometimes I don't get all my exercise in during the day and have to take walks at night...sometimes kind of late at night.

We have these huge fruit bats here. They don't bother humans, they usually just hang out in the berry trees eating fruit and you only really hear or see them at dusk time.

I don't know what was different about this particular night, could have been the lack of moon, the nice breeze, the coolness of the air (we have been hot and humid consistently prior to this) or maybe it was just a bat social night I didn't know about. Anyhow, there were bats everywhere and they weren't hanging out in the trees. They were hanging on the telephone and electric wires. In my 6 years of living here, I have NEVER seen one of these bats outside of a tree. And it wasn't just one, I passed at least 5 of them on different parts of my neighborhood (I did a 2.5 mile walk) hanging on wires.

This one in particular was there when I went by at the beginning of my walk and then still there when I went back by so I stopped at the house and grabbed the camera. He stayed up there and let me take tons of pictures of him. I wish I could have gotten better ones, but I will be taking my camera with me for now on during my night walks just in case.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Don't Mix Them

Insanity

This week, in fact, the last several weeks, have just flown by...I have been so busy I don't even realize half the time what day of the week it is.

I have been slacking on my posting here...it is not that I don't have tons to say, I just can't say everything I want, and I sometimes just don't have time to say anything at all but I am going to improve on that.

I have been working out at least 5 days a week for the last two weeks. I had just gotten to the point where I had to do something and getting back into a routine was it. Now getting the gym is easier because it is automatically a part of my day rather than trying to fit in it and I am already feeling fitter and much better about myself.

For two weeks, I was covering my friend's preschool class on Fridays and her tutor student on Wednesday along with the usual stuff I do, so my week was a bit more jam-packed than normal. Her tutor student has graciously accepted to keep me as her tutor permanently (extra money for me and a great opportunity to talk with a local Okinawan about whatever we want to talk about). Takako is a great student and we have fun together.

I have been battling our pond for the last month. The owner has it cleaned once a year usually but last year when the contractors were here, they were here for 8 days and during that entire time, they were powerwashing rocks (we have a very shallow rock pond in the back yard). It was noisy (since the pond is right off the dining room), and my electricity and water bills went up. So this year, I have been trying to keep it from getting green on my own. This means being proactive with leaves that fall into it and also hosing it out regularly to keep the temp down and the algae at bay...right now, I am losing the battle but tomorrow morning I am getting out there to wage war. I have half of the yard work I have needed to do for two weeks done, but I just need to find time to do the other half.

Being the membership chair for two great organizations in the month of September means being busy, busy, busy since this is when the year starts for each org. I know that the rest of the year won't be as hectic but September has just flown by because of it.

I spent a good portion of my day on Saturday at a fundraiser for a third org I am part of, but it was a lot of fun because good friends were there with me.

Today, I pretty much locked myself in the house to work on cleaning tasks that have been neglected this week...I am happy to say my house is pretty spotless now.

What amazes me that amongst all this, I still manage to get some of the little nagging tasks knocked out...most it is a time management thing (which I know I am improving upon). It helps that I seem to have kicked the procrastination bug for now (otherwise I would be drowning in all this).

So tomorrow is Monday and I am going from the start...grocery shopping, meeting, babysitting for a friend and gym time...we'll see what else I can squeeze in.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Puss in Boots This post is relevant because I just had Chase shaved again and she looks just like this picture right now.

Monopoly's Hidden Maps Help World War II POWs Escape - ABC News

What a cool story...gives me a whole new respect for the game and for the industry...

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Buss n Boots

Trying to Figure Things Out

I made some changes recently and since I seem to be in the swing of things, I am finally posting about it now. I didn't want to post until I was sure I could get back into the routine...rather than just reposting a post here, I am just going to link you back to the post I wrote on my fitness blog.

I already feel better...and that is a pretty good feeling.

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Four Years Ago on In My Words...NW Geocaching

Kimono Quest

So, having been in this country for 6 years now, I have never had the desire to wear kimono. While I do try to embrace and experience the culture where ever we go, I just thought that kimono wearing was not for me. Now, don't get me wrong. I love them, think they are totally beautiful but the cost and the fact that most kimono's are not made for average sized Americans has always kept the idea of it at bay.

In the past, I have purchased a few used kimonos at resales to give as gifts to friends or family. I have even purchase a couple of yukatas (a summer casual kimono) to use for lounging around the house. Recently, I had managed to get my hands on a beautiful formal kimono kurotomesode (worn mostly at weddings by the bride's mother) that I thought was beautiful (and it only cost me a few bucks), but I was only planning to hang it on the wall...not wear it. It actually looks very similar to the one pictured at the link.

Fast forward to this month...we have a luncheon at OIWC that is traditionally one that many members wear kimono or yukata to. The cool thing is that the ladies that know about kimono wearing, help those of us that don't. I didn't wear one last year because I didn't have one (or all the parts you need) in order to be able to do it. This year, as the date started getting closer, I figured I would see if I could find all the parts for a reasonable amount of money and finally experience this aspect of Japanese culture.

I managed to find an antique formal silk kimono irotomesode (a step down in formality from the kurotomesode and an antique obi to go with it. I have been told that new, each of these items would be in the thousands of dollars and I managed to get both for 100 dollars each. After getting the hard part out of the way, I started to look for all the parts and pieces that go with wearing a kimono. I needed the under kimono nagajuban (which needed to be formal as well), the shoes zori, the socks tabi, the ties koshihimo and bands datejime, and cords/decoration obijime/obiage.

Since my kimono ended up being such a formal one, I decided to stay as traditional as possible and wear white for the majority of the accessories. This meant spending a bit more but I figured it is a once in a lifetime kind of thing. I will have a master kimono dresser helping me to get dressed for our luncheon, and while I am sure I will not be able to breathe or eat the entire time (not to mention not going the bathroom), I know it will be an experience I will remember and always have.

I have pictured my yukata here with its accessories as well....as you can see, a lot less goes into wearing the more casual summer yukata.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Sentimental: Good or Bad?