Monday, dropping off grandma and buying some Halloween pumpkins! : )

So the day after Noah's undokai. This Monday of this week. Branden still had school. Poor kid had no weekend either, he went with us to drop off and pick up Noah Saturday the day before undokai and then the next day he spent it at undokai with us. So, he didn't have a weekend either. None of us did really, but the positive and the bright side is, we are now done with all undokai's for this year! Woohoo! So a definite plus. So, Monday Branden went to school. And Noah didn't have school since he had undokai. So after we dropped off Branden at school, grandma Mitsuko, Noboru, Noah and I went to Chiba New Town. Once there, we dropped her off at the train station and from there she was heading to Haneda airport to fly back to Osaka. She hugged me, Noboru and then hugged and kissed Noah. And walked into the train station. After we dropped her off at 9:10am or somewhere around there (her train, she was taking was at 9:17am I think.) We headed directly to Joyful Honda, about 5 minutes away from the train station we just dropped off grandma Mitsuko. They sell small, medium and big size Halloween pumpkins, I realized that years ago and blogged that when I first realized that. They're also pretty cheap for Japan. 980 yen for the bigger ones. And we bought 2 of them. We usually vary and flip flop sometimes we buy from Costco and sometimes we buy from here. Just depends on the year. The one thing I do like though about buying from here, is the pumpkins here are from Japan so they are fresher then the ones found at Costco. I have bought the ones from Costco and they come from the US and ours rotted a teeny tiny bit on the bottom last year because it was cut so much in advance. Granted it's to be expected. But, the ones cut in Japan are really fresh, ours here we have now are so firm. Plus they're a couple hundred yen cheaper. The ones at Costco are 1280 yen or something like that. Either way is fine and we'll still probably buy from Costco in the future too (we still love Costco pumpkins), it's just nice to have options and not just 1 place to choose from is all. Anyone ever grow any themselves here in Japan? Noboru and I were thinking maybe we should try and grow some for next year.

With 2 pumpkin heads nicely in the car and some ricotta cheese in the car with some dry ice. We went across the way, about a 3 minute drive to the Big Hop Mall. Chiba New Town has 2 malls. Big Hops an outlet, the other mall has Gap, Laura Ashley store and a whole bunch of stuff. We just wanted lunch. That's all.

Mall opens at 10am and we were right on time.

I had ordered the 6 inch veggie delight and baked fries and a soda.

Noboru and Noah had ramen and fried rice sets in mind. : )

Noboru hates onions, which is why he has all the onions placed on this tiny saucer. He had ordered his ramen with no onions but they forgot. He complained about it and the guy offered to make him another one, but he said forget it. And plucked the onions out himself. ; ) I love onions so I just don't get it. But there's stuff I don't like to eat also, so I understand.

Monday evening, we were still sort of unwinding from all the undokai business/stuff. So, Noboru, Noah and myself went with Branden to swim school Monday evening. And he passed to a level 2 in swimming. We were pretty proud. I had wished I had brought my camera and it figures I didn't bring it the one time I really needed it. ; ) Anyway that's what we did this past Monday.

PS, I just have to say and I wasn't going to mention it but..... Last Thursday, I had mentioned in the comments section I was having a lunch date with my friends that day. Anyway. This is sort of funny and I probably shouldn't say this but..... So, Thursday, after sending both kids to school, I happily got myself all dressed. Did my hair really super duper. Makeup on. Spritzed some perfume on. And even wore sparkly silver ballet shoes that matched my outfit that day. Wide leg jeans, black shirt and gray cardigan. You know some days you just feel, "wow I really look good today" well Thursday I felt that way. So, there I went, kissed the hubby, he said have a nice lunch. And I went driving in my car to the restaurant. Half the parking entrance was blocked off, how weird I thought. Anyway I squeezed my car in the parking lot. Meet up time was 11am. My girlfriends are always on time, so am I. 11am rolls around. Nothing. Hmm, I thought. 11:03am rolls around. Traffic maybe? 11:05am rolls around, now I start to worry. So, I call Noboru and ask him to read my email from the Jogo-san. Perhaps we were to meet up at 11:30am instead. Nope!!! He started laughing and said....you have your lunch with them tomorrow!!! Not today! OMG! How freaking and completely embarrassing! So, I laughed and was red faced...but drove out of the parking lot. Noboru joked with me all night on that one. Friday morning, the next day, he said...are you sure it's today?! LOL. Alright I said. ; ) So, I did go to my lunch Friday and I did tell them my girlfriends during lunch what I did the day before. And they laughed quite hard at me for that one. I was laughing too. They said, this restaurant is closed the day before. And I said..yeah so that's why the parking area was half closed off. And there I was trying to pinch my car in. LOL. Well....I think my husband must have definitely married me because I make him laugh. : ) That's certainly the reason I married him. Anyway, I did enjoy my lunch last FRIDAY. And you know...I didn't look nearly as cute on Friday as I did on Thursday.: ( My hair didn't look as good as it did the day before etc. Hmm.

Anyway, to add to this story of my most embarrassing blunders. So you know, last weekend we had zero weekend, Noah had school Saturday and Sunday we woke up freakishly early for undokai. Monday, dropping off my mil (mother in law) getting the pumpkins, and swim school until 7pm. It's no wonder lately I've felt a bit tired and a bit out of sorts. I haven't mucked up the kids schedules at all. I do check my calendar everyday to make sure. One of my worst nightmares is mucking their schedules up. And yep, I've done that a time or two. But...here's the kicker. So, Tuesday was a normal day, sending the boys to school, cleaning house doing laundry. And Tuesday evening after I made dinner....I realized we are very low on food. So, I decided to go to the store the following day and get our weekly shopping done. Checked my calendar on the fridge, nothing written on there. So, Wednesday, made obento, breakfast and got both Branden and Noah to school. Wearing yoga pants, sweatshirt and trainers. I did brush my teeth but I think I just finger combed my hair that morning, zero makeup. I had my shopping to get done you know. So, as soon as I dropped off Noah, I am on the road to get to Cainz. It is a long drive. I had music playing in the car. I'm singing along. And I finally make it....finally. I'm just about to cross the bridge and I can see the sign in the distance when my cell phone rings. It's probably Noboru, I think. I won't answer because I don't want a ticket. I glance at my phone and I see the name on my caller id come up...Jogo-san. @_@ Oh goodness, it must be important. I better get it. I hope a cops not around. Driving down the road. "hello?" She says....Hi Gina, we are at the movies waiting for you, are you running a little late? We haven't bought our tickets yet" Just then this huge realization hits me. I had a movie date today! Today MUST be October 20th! How could I forget that? Holy goodness, she's still on the phone. What did I say to her? I was just completely honest....I said...."I totally forgot, it is 100% my fault. I am VERY sorry. I apoligize, I was looking forward to going to the movies with you two very much. And I don't know how I could forget such a thing. However I am at the Cainz (she knows how far that is from the movies) I am wearing sweatpants and I could still possibly have sandman's in my eyes. Please go on without me, I am so sorry. Please enjoy the movie." Jogo-san being amazing...laughed and said, okay and not to worry, and I also told her to apologize to Namiki-san for me. Of course I will apologize face to face to both of them. But man...how could I forget a thing like that? Hind sight is 20/20 of course. I wish I would have written it on my calendar in the kitchen. I wish I would have put the info into my phone/keitei. I wish.....I wish. I wish I could have remembered and done the day differently, thus enjoying the movies with my girlfriends. I was bummed Wednesday. And it was all my fault.

So, I arrived to the Cainz. Feeling like a horrible human being for forgetting my movie date. : ( Went inside and started shopping. Forgot about it a few aisles of my shopping and then remembered down another aisle and felt horrendous again. : ( It's amazing how we can be hardest on ourselves, can't we? I was really pissed at myself. Then I forgot and must've got back on track of my shopping tasks. And then at the check out counter, there I started thinking about it yet again. Drove home. Unpacked the groceries. Did some laundry, and prepped dinner. Set the rice cooker. Folded laundry. Noboru called me, and I told him. At first he was like...how could you forget that...and then he was like....you've been so busy lately no wonder something was forgotten. I made curry that night. And by dinner time, as I was still feeling quite badly about it.... Noboru told me, I shouldn't be so hard on myself. I'm human. I realized he was indeed right and I forgave myself. I did see the Jogo-san on Thursday at the yochien and I apologized face to face. And she is so down to earth, she laughed. She was not upset at all. In fact she said she saw lots of trailers for new movies we can see together. Phew. I was relieved. I think the things that I learned or realized this week, is everyone gets fried once in a while. Things gets hectic every once in a while for us all and it just happens, in my case......from mid September to mid October was my busy time. I think I did really well considering and I handled all my hurdles well. Granted it would have been perfect had I not forgotten the movie date. But.....afterall I am human and it happens, Can't be perfect all the time. And I'm far from perfect to begin with. Anyway...that's the tale of how I ended up at the Indian restaurant a day before and forgot my movie date completely. @_@ : ( Now things are winding down now that all undokai's are finished. And I am starting to feel back to my old self once again. : )

American mommy blunder # 58,793! In other words how the mommy luncheon thing went! : )

So, Kaya-san- picks me up. Usually I drive myself, but this place was on a different side of town. An area I am not familiar with. Thin roads and with visions of me getting stuck on some thin road in the middle of someplace. It was just better she give me a ride. So anyway, she brought me some mikans from her mikan tree. Her mikans are so sweet by the way!

Anyway, so we are at the restaurant. Three people are hosting this lunch, one of the 3 women, happens to be me. I handled the money, which I just took the 2,500 yen from each mom, gave change, if I needed to and then I let them draw a # out of the envelop so they can see which number goes with which seat. Meanwhile Genki-kun's mom checked each mom as paid on the little sign up sheet thing. And asked them if they'd like tea or coffee, for when their dessert came. The other mom handled the most of the stuff.

So we all sat down. I was luckily sitting next to some people I really like. Like Rie-san and Genki-kun's mom and stuff. Rie-san is always happy, talks a lot and I love that! It makes me so comfortable! So, we were all eating. The food was okay. We grilled lean beef to start on our own little mini clay grill pots. And a few veggies. We also had tempura, rice, soup, just all sorts of things. I would have loved to have taken a picture of the food, but since most of them do not know of the existence of my blog. I didn't want them to think I had gone crazy by taking pictures of my food. Ha ha ha. So no pictures unfortunately.

Anyway, during our meal. Genki-kun's mom stood up and said something. What did she say? I have no idea at all. You know what? I wish I could walk around in Japan with those little ear pieces that those UN guys get to wear, you know the ones that translate everything into their own language, via the ear piece? Anyway, whatever she said. They all clapped. And then it seemed to start a whirlwind. Because starting from the table way over on the opposite sides of the room. She got up. Said something and everyone clapped. Okay, now I was confused. However I watched. Next thing you know, every mom, was sorta taking turns. Getting up saying something and then a roar of claps! I was completely bewildered at this time! And I started to wonder if they would eventually make their way over to my table. Would it eventually be my turn to speak? Public speaking scares the complete crap out of me. Talking among friends, no problem at all whatsoever and I am lively, a jokester. Laughing and talking endlessly. but among crowds of say, 25 women? No thanks, I'd rather not! Okay now I start to get nervous. Also, I was thinking, what are they saying? Outwardly, I looked normal. Inside I was freaking out! Could I get up, escape, make a B-line to the bathroom and just be gone for the next 25 minutes or so? You think they'd go for that? I wondered! Hmm! : )

I turn to Rie-san and asked her. She said, they were telling their "big news" , I thought how great, how fantastic (insert sarcasm here).I don't have any big news!!! And they said English is fine. Okay now we are on the second table. And I was sitting at the 3rd and last table. I could actually feel and hear my own heart beating people. Bump, bump, bump. It just got louder and louder!

The lady sitting next to Rie-san, told me, "talk about your Christmas illumination". Really nice of her to try and help me and give me suggestions by the way. It took me about 1 minute to translate into my head and figure she meant, talk about my Christmas lighting. First thing, I thought of is, how does she know? Ha ha ha. But, as that was the least of my worries, I thought, okay that's doable. : )

From what I could see and understand. Two or 3 mom's announced they are pregnant, they just found out! Now, see what I mean. That really is good exciting news! That definitely falls under the *huge news category*, Somehow Christmas lighting does not seem like huge news to me. But as we had just started this on the 3rd and final table. I was at a loss. I felt sick with nerves you guys. Don't ask me how I managed to grin and smile through this all! Oh and I forget to add, 1 mom had just given some really sad news or story. Something about undokai. And she started crying. Those tears came outta nowhere. Then the lady on the left of me started crying. And soon everyone was crying. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't understand what she was saying. So, I didn't know if I should feel sad. So, I just kept my head down. Looked sad and shook my head.

Okay so, now, Shion-kun's mom at the 3rd table was talking and I saw 2 people to the right of me. However Genki-kun's mom was at the right of me. And I started to think. Didn't she speak first? Maybe they asked at the start of this, who was the bravest to go first and she went first? Great, I thought. So am I after the other lady or am I after Genki-kun;s mom??? Which one? I was certain as heck, Genki-kun's mom did speak first. So, after the lady to the right of Genki-kun's mom sat, down. I jumped up outta my seat. Heart beating like crazy. So much that I could barely hear. This is where it gets bad, you guys. Now I look to my right, and Genki-kun's mom is standing up too. Oh my freakin' god! Did I just bud in line in front of Genki-kun's mom? Clearly, at this moment. I realized she did NOT take her turn yet. And clearly I just made a complete and total dork of myself, by cutting in front of Genki-kun's mom. Somebody shoot me please! I was so beyond embarrassed! Now what? Do I sit down, gomen nasai her or what? I don't know if my face was red, but it felt red!

I think she said, to let me go first, and she sat down. I was just mortified to the max, you guys! And I had yet to speak. So, I gave my speech. I didn't speak quiet like a little shy mouse. I kept thinking. And don't laugh you guys. But I kept thinking. Stay focused, be brave, don't be shy! I certainly didn't feel brave, but it helped get me through this moment. And I rattled off my news in English.

I said something like this. "Well, I really don't have any big news to say, however, what I've been up to is, I've been trying to get my son ready and prepared for the first grade lately. With the backpack and I motioned a backpack on my back with my hands. And then I said, a desk and motioned with my hands a desk. I also, said, "as I've never been to school in Japan before it's all been really new to me and....(this is where I couldn't think of how to end the school talk and transition into the Christmas talk) so I said it's been quite an adventure. Adventure, why outta all the billions of different words in the English language, did I say adventure. Granted not a horrible word mind you, but I wish I woulda used another one. Anyway, I wish I woulda used a different word, but as 99% of them, probably didn't understand me (except I am sure Kaya-san understood me though), I doubt it mattered anyways.

Then I said, "ohhh, I also have been getting ready for Christmas and decorating my house with Christmas lights. Figuring they would better understand the term of "Christmas illumination" I added, Christmas illumination so they'd all know what I was talking about, and I said, well, that's all, thank you!

I sat down. And I thought, oh my god. What an idiot, I am!!! And feeling really embarrassed. I was just glad it was over with! Thank god, it was over with!

Meanwhile Genki-kun's mom got up. She said something really sad. She started crying. It surprised me a lot, because I see Genki-kun's mom every single day. Of course, because we have the same bus stop. Pick up and drop off you know. And to see her cry. First shocked me, made me sad. And then I wondered what is she saying? Again, I wish I had that UN ear piece, I was talking about, at times like this! Everyone grew sad, including me. Then the last lady went, she kept it short and sweet. And that stupid game was over with! Oh my gosh, I hope I never have to do that ever *ever* again! Phew! : )

Oh and after much thinking. I think Genki-kun's mom got up and spoke first to begin with because she probably announced the game would be starting. Funny how hind sight is so 20/20 isn't it? Crystal clear after the fact, isn't it? And then everyone clapped. Ugh, once again, my limited Japanese ability completely managed to help me make a complete nerd of myself!

Public speaking? My worst nightmare!!! I think I'd prefer choose, run naked down the streets of Makuhari or Chiba New town in rush hour traffic, then I would like to try speaking in front of the yochien mother's again, thank you very much! Ha ha ha! (and I am a conservative dresser, I am not a barer of the flesh here people) but I'd still pick that, over public speaking any day! : )

I told Noboru about this, and we have had the biggest laugh about my humiliating myself with the getting up at the same time as Genki-kun's mom and whatnot. We will probably be laughing about this one, for years to come! However, I was hoping no other yochien mom noticed. Wrong!!! They noticed alrighty! : )

The next day, Noboru dropped B at the bus stop. And actually Genki-kun's mom mentioned to my husband (how nice of her, by the way, huh?). "everyone thought Gina-san was so cute that she got up and spoke at the same time as me and she was so cute and embarrassed!" Since Noboru knew about it already. He just said, oh really? He came home, told me everyone thought I was cute for making a complete nerd outta myself! Great, just great, nice to know I amused everyone at the luncheon! Ha ha ha! : )
Ohhh, life in Japan and with my limited Japanese ability, never a dull moment, I tell ya! : )

I was going to make my pumpkin pie that night. But with so much that had gone on in the day. And with the hubby at work in the evening. I just made a simple dinner for the boys and myself. I made an corn potage, egg drop soup type thing. With a grilled cheese sandwich. The kids had the same thing, as me. It was simple, the soup calls for adding your own chicken, so it was hearty. Nice for a cold night, soup and a sandwich perfect way to end such an embarrassing day like today. Oh my, what a day, what a day indeed! ha ha ha. : ) **edited to add**, there was a great big discussion at my table, about the elementary school backpack during the luncheon. I heard an ear full. I have so much to say about this. That I will have to just make a whole other post about this in a few days. : )

Boshi means hat!

Okay chalk this up to another American mommy blunder! When I had just 1 kid it was quite easy. But with two, it gets very hard at times and I have a tendency to be running late *all the time*, I know that must sound awful but it's true! Anyway, N was at work early this morning. And I was juggling my two boys the best I could. I had Noah in the high chair and for the most part he was behaved and playing and quite quiet and content. Branden was also just fine, he was laying upside down on the couch watching Clifford the Big red dog. Meanwhile it was mommy mayhem in the kitchen. I was listening to the best of Hall and Oates on my CD player. And making my munchkins lunch as fast as I could. Honestly? I should be waking up 30 minutes earlier then I am right now! Sigh.

Anyway I was feeling pretty good. I had washed all his uniforms the night before and got them all folded and the smock all nicely hung last night. And his lunch was coming out just beautiful as usual. Then I looked at the time and it said 9:15 am. OMG! School starts at 9:30 am, I knew we were totally late. Especially since I would more then likely be stuck in traffic for 10 minutes! Now here is where the frenzy begins...

So, now I am running around like a chicken without my head. Packing up the lunch box and putting it into the backpack. And realized where are Branden's socks? Well, they were in the sock drawer upstairs! (Insert scream here)! Ahhhhh! So, I frantically run upstairs. Race to get his socks actually run down the stairs and honestly even jump and clear the last two steps! I rush and put them on his feet, tell him to put on his shoes pronto! Then I realize....where the hell are my socks? Ahhhhh! So, I go running up the stairs AGAIN. And can you believe, that I can't find 1 single pair of my socks? Isn't that *always* the case when you are in a mad crazy rush, figures it's when you can't find whatever you're looking for! By this time the clock upstairs is growing later and later! So, I remembered I threw a pair of socks into the dryer last night.

So, I raced downstairs and only found 1 flipping sock in the dryer? How did this happen? At this point I was going to go sockless but then I remembered that I have to take my shoes off, when I enter the classroom and I am sure they'd all notice me not wearing socks lol! So, by this time, I am running around the house looking for the missing sock saying shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! And I finally got my hand and face in the dryer looking all around and presto....I found the missing sock! (relief)

Now here is were it gets even funnier. But let me give you all a visual first. I am wearing navy blue Abercrombie yoga pants, that actually say Abercrombie on the butt (had these for years and I love them), and a navy blue long sleeved t shirt. And fleece zip up that's, also navy blue on one side and red fleece on the other from Uniqlo (it's one of those reversible jobs, if this helps giving you a better idea of what I'm talking about). Not a terrible outfit right? I mean not gorgeous, but for a sahm of 2 kids and it being so ungodly early and all, not horrible, right? Well, now add in black socks. Yup something about me adding long black socks to the outfit, just screamed, call the fashion police! And I also wore Nike sneakers. Yup, now I know to some black socks and Nikes is a sin....but being that they were the *only* socks I could find for some odd reason today. And add that, I was so completely late, I really didn't care at the time! (ducks)

So, I am driving now in the car with my two boys in the back. I am thinking okay.... I did good. I got my boys all set. His lunch is fab! And all is well! Then it hits me....I forgot my munchkins hat! Ahhhhhh! Now if that just didn't beat all!!! I have NEVER forgotten my sons hat before! I truly blame the MIA socks, for me forgetting his hat! At this point I thought....oh screw it, should I just drive us all back home and say...forget it!? Then I thought....nah! It'll be alright, so I forgot the hat...big flipping deal! I am sure I'm not the first mommy on the face of the planet who forgot the hat! I'm glad I have a more roll with it type attitude, otherwise I am sure I would have just dropped dead of a heart attack by now! Ha ha ha!

I couldn't think of the word in Japanese for hat though. So, I arrive at the school. And park and grab Noah in my arms (no time for Baby Bjorn today lol), and take Branden by the hand. And we run through the security gate at the school. And I race to the class. His teachers come outside and all the kids are in class. Saying Ohayo Branden-kun! So, I look at one of his sensei's (he's got like 6 different teachers in the class) and try to explain that he has no hat today. I made a gesture of me wearing a hat with my hands and taking it off and on! Sorta felt like I was playing charades! Finally she smiles and says...ahhh no boshi? I said yes, hai! that must be it...no boshi! Gomen nasai!