The handover meeting. My last official day as vice prez/fuku kaicho for the Kids Club/Kodomo Kai...

Sunday, March 29th at 10am was *the* handover meeting from the 2014/2015 members (us) to the 2015/2016 members. Also, a notice was given in the kids kairanban (information booklet) different from the adults kairanban booklet. The kids one, only goes to houses with elementary age kids in our housing community. Anyway about 2 weeks before March 29th the kids kairanban went around. Letting all parents of elementary school age know. #1, the term/year are over,  the people running the kids club are switching and if any of you would like to attend said meeting you are most welcome. Also it reminded everyone with a elementary aged kid to also pay their yearly dues on March 29th, the total for the year would be 700 yen. The reason I bring this up, in the first place is at the end of each kids kairanban message it says...sincerely and then lists the 7 people in the PTA. Our names were OFF and new names were on! I was so thrilled when I received that kairanban (information booklet) and my name was NOT on there anymore! So it was 2 weeks before, reading that, when I realized...wow, it is finally coming to an end. Also keep in mind, the kids were on Spring break. We were set to leave to Guam Monday March 30th, so the next day. Our bags were packed. And I just had 1 last thing to do before we left for Guam. Which was handing the gauntlet so to speak to the next set of PTA. So, I made sure Sunday, March 29th, I showered that morning, did my hair, makeup. I was dressed. And I was ready! I walked down to the building near the tennis courts. And I walked inside. 2 new members of the kids club were collecting fees for the yearly dues, they head bowed me and greeted me and I did the same (head bowed and greeted), they know I was fukukaicho and I know one is Branden's classmates mom and her youngest daughter is a 6th grader this year, we have known each other for ages, the other one, her youngest child is in Noah's class, so there is a connection between us as I pay them, meaning we all know exactly who each other is, in fact I didn't even need to give them my child's name, they knew already hahaha. Noah is in elementary school, so I opened my wallet and paid the ladies 700 yen for Noah's yearly dues. I then took off my shoes and went inside the main part of the building. The last years term members and the new members were gathering. My fellow fukukaicho was inside and said, we will sit here. 2 tables facing each other exactly like in this picture. Old prez was on one end of the table, new prez was on the opposite side of the table. And us 2 Vice prez people were facing our replacements. And the secretary from last year was facing her replacement and so on. 

The new members, our replacements served us senpai ladies coffee. These ladies were very kind. And in fact, I thought..."hmm we should have done this to our senpais last year" : ( We should have done this. Oh well. It is, what it is. Anyway, so we waited to see if anyone wanted to observe the handover. We knew nobody would want to and it is honestly best if we do this sort of stuff without looky-loos wanting to attend the meeting. So when the clock struck 10am and nobody entered the room, we closed the door. And began the handover. Us members from last year just wanted it OVER. And the new members, knew there was just no getting out of it, so they just wanted to get it started. The new heads each stood up and introduced themselves to us. You could tell some were nervous. I completely understood, because I hate public speaking too (when all eyes are on you) We last year members, didn't say who we were. They had been getting the kids kairanban all this past year with our names and next to each name it says...kaicho(prez) or fukukaicho (VP) so basically everyone knows. No need to say it again. The new prez, at the end of the long table, went through her paperwork and asked the old prez. A few questions about running things. When should they meet, how many times a month. Our prez, said at least twice a month but on months were there is an event, probably every week is best. And she added that the prez and 2 VPs need to meet, more often privately, because they have other things needing to go over, such as party games to set up. Prizes to buy, for said events. Basically the prez and 2 VPs will be run ragged most. She took notes. The new members listened. More questions were asked. And then we just went back and forth. Any questions for the new secretary, to ask the secretary from last year. So we just went back and forth. 

The new VPs asked us last year VPs. Any advice? That honestly was a tough one. How to answer that, hmm. On 1 hand, if it were my friend, or cousin, I would say...much like the sign when they were about to head to the Wicked Witch's castle on the Wizard of Oz....I'd give my real life friend or relative the advice of "I'd turn back if I were you!!!" "Avoid it if you can, and good luck if you can't avoid it." However...this is Japan. The country of Gambatte and Gaman. And in truth, my term is over. So no need to stir the pot and make the new members have nightmares and panic attacks before it has even began. Do you know what I mean. I appreciate you reading this blog...going through the entire last year with me, going through all this fukukaicho craziness. And knowing somehow I wasn't going through it alone, all by myself helped. So thank you. : ) But now back to the question asked of me that day. Let's be sensible, there is no need to cause hysteria. I know what's acceptable to say here and what's not. I know I shouldn't say anything negative about the kids club. Because the kids do enjoy it. And believe me...I know how these ladies weren't really all too "gung ho" about being picked in the first place. So if we think about this rationally. It is best to not say anything too terribly bad, no need to cause a panic in that room, obviously. If I were to say for example..."yes it sucked, don't do it." That would cause everyone to freak out, that morning. Perhaps they wouldn't want the job after all. I can't just throw that wrench in there, like that. So, I do my best. And give the most diplomatic answer I can. The safest answer, I can think of. So, they asked us....the new 2 fukukaicho turn to us and ask..."any advice?" We both turn to each other and I let the Jinbei boy's mom answer first. She answers with a very diplomatic answer. And then she turns to me for my answer. I have all my year/fellow members and the new members all eyes on me for my answer. And while I didn't lie. I just spoke the truth, albeit a very sanitized version. And I said. "best thing for fukukaicho to do is, support the kaicho because she is doing the hardest job, and support the other ladies too, because they are also doing very important jobs like the accountant and secretary are responsible for making the papers and notices in all the kids kairanbans. So, my best advice is... try to support the whole team best you can. It will be hard work, but we got through it and I have no doubt....that you will get through it too." I think I gave an honest and yet diplomatic answer, safe yes, but I'm not really here to cause trouble, I just wanted the "handover" to go as easy as possible. And I gave a safe answer. I didn't step on any toes. I don't need to be the one to deflate their balloon. They will find out soon enough...how stressful the job is. And you know what though...to be fair, maybe they won't find it so stressful. Maybe these ladies will be rockin' and rollin' right through every challenge they face. Maybe it won't be so hard for them. We are all different, we all have different personalities. So while it was grueling for me, maybe they won't find it so bad. Does that make sense, do you know what I mean. So, yeah, no need for me to muddy the waters. So again, I just gave the safest answer possible. No need to go out in flames and with a bad reputation...saying..."oh it was horrible..nothing but absolute pain and misery. I cried 500 tears daily." LOL, know what I mean (and for the record I did not cry any tears over this at all) What I mean to say is this....Look, it's over. The meeting was simply.... passing the gauntlet to them. And I am sure they can figure out for themselves...if it's going to be hard....they most certainly don't need me, to tell them that. This way I leave on a good and positive note. So, we question and answered back and forth. Because they knew as soon as we left, we were gone. So any last questions for us. Anyone, anyone, Bueller, Bueller. They asked. And then it was done. We last years 7 members stood and we bowed and we all said...good luck for this year. And we left! And they began their planning of the "welcoming the new ichinensei"...kids club meeting for the party taking place in April. We exited and slipped off our slippers and put back on our shoes. And we last years members all waved good bye to one another. And that was that. How long did the meeting last? Honestly somewhere between 15-20 minutes tops. It went by super quickly. I walked back home...I felt like I was bouncing home, walking on air...truly walking on air...I was so happy. Absolute pure happy as can be, type happiness. I Line messaged Noboru on my walk home...I said...I am done! And gave a sunshine face pic. And I also skype messaged my dad and I said...I am done and gave him a happy dance pic. I went home. The kids were like...wow that was fast. And I asked the kids..."who's fukukaicho this year?" They said..."who?" I said...NOT ME!!! Hahaha : ). And I turned the music on in the kitchen and I danced around for 2 songs. Just pure joy. This year, I have no title and I don't want or need one, I am just a simple normal citizen this year. They can make all the rules. I'll just follow them. : ) I hope to never have to do anything like that again. But yep...it is done, it is over with. woot woot! Who's vice prez, this year? Not, me! : ) I'm just... a SAHM, face in the crowd, normal standard audience member. Phew. And relief! : ) 

Sunday, February 22nd, my last Kodomo Kai/Kids Club event and Branden's Eiken level 2 interview done...

Last week, I think I posted only once last week? I'm actually proud of myself for finding an available moment to post because last week was quite possibly the busiest and most stressful weeks for me out of the whole past year. It was pure crazy town, last week. Let's catch up. : ) Okay, so you know Bran did the Eiken level 2 right? At the end of January. Anyway, so the paperwork said if your child passes, they would be doing a verbal interview approximately 1 month afterwards. They also said we'd be getting the Eiken passing test shortly however, ours never came. Also each child is supposed to have a 2 number password code, but the rules at our particular JHS they only give you 1 of those and they don't want students to know the other. @_@ So we couldn't even check online, if Branden passed. Which yes he did, but we didn't know. When I had finally had enough waiting (meaning my friend already had her daughters results, that goes to a JHS in the small city near us) I said enough is enough. Had Noboru call the JHS. He phoned them and they said they had given the results back eons ago. @_@ I knew Branden didn't have it, because he also wanted his results. Turns out they were given out during bukatsu (sports club time) and nobody bothered to check if perhaps Branden did or didn't get his results. Really irritating. But anyways so when we finally get the long awaited results... the yes he passed part...then we read and on the form said...your interview is February 22nd. Insert panic now! That's the date of my very last yakuin "good bye to the 6th graders" how can I be at 2 different places at once. Okay let's be sensible about this...can we think of an alternative? Can Noboru take Branden for his Eiken interview? Sadly no he can't, he has work that day.  Noboru's family is in Osaka. Uncle Jun worked that day. My family is in America. And I'm most certainly not about to let Branden ride the train alone...Lester the Molester could snatch my son and I'd never see him again. Okay granted my son is now probably just as tall, if not taller than most Japanese male adults. And quite muscular but still, to me...for my sake of mind, he is my son and I worry about him. All last week, I thought and I thought. I have a duty to the yakuin. It is my last task. My last yakuin job and then I am done. However, my duty for my son... for both my children trumps the yakuin. I am sorry...but if you are a mama you will understand. Heck if you are a papa you will "get that" too. I just couldn't see anyway around it. So, I emailed the VP. I said very honestly and truthfully. "I apologize, we found out rather last minute when the next Eiken test would be...it happens to fall on the same day. I will be happy to come, but I will *have* to leave at the latest at 10:30am." There's just no other way around it...she wrote me back in less than 10 minutes saying...absolutely no problem at all. She totally understands. And sure...I should leave at 10:30am. And she also said...tell Branden CONGRATULATIONS. This by the way is the Jinbei Boy's mom, one of Branden's closest friends. And remember we went to the Indian restaurant together a few weeks back. So it is good to have a personal relationship. And plus they know...I have never been late to a meeting ever. I have never missed an event. So I'm no flake...let's just put it that way. But really... there was no other way around it. So anyway problem 1 was solved. Now problem 2. Do we take the train or do we drive? The test was to be at Narita International High School. However I had no idea where in Narita it was/is located. I do know that Narita on weekends gets lots/tons of car traffic...parking is scarce. Especially since we come from a puny tiny rural town. So last Thursday, Noboru and I took a trial/practice run in the car. I wanted to see for myself, where the school is located #1 and #2 I wanted to see for myself if there would be parking or not. Friday was the plan for taking the train from my town to the school. So Thursday we drove there. Here are the basics. Narita International High School has ZERO parking! There are 3 pay parking places near but the fee/rate on the signs said 1000 yen. $10US basically. There was 2 free parking spaces, the park across the street, but Noboru said to me to expect the parking there to be taken because many people go to the park on Sundays, he specifically mentioned grandpa's practicing their golf swing. @_@ However the good part and positive is...I felt me driving to the school was pretty easy. So, I decided to drive and hope for the best on the parking. My #1 worry was now...parking...would I get one? Or would we be screwed and I'd be driving around the block like 100 laps. So that was my biggest concern and worry. So Friday February 20th. I didn't need to take the train to the school for practice because I had already decided to drive. My gifts for the kids club arrived via Rakuten. I did managed to find a bit of time to post, also last Friday. And I made pizza dough that morning also and let it sit and rise all day. Finished cleaning the house and after school, swung around and picked up both the boys from school. It has been raining buckets off and on this whole past week. The 4 of us enjoyed some homemade from scratch pizza and we had salads too. So that was Friday evening. February 20th.

Saturday, I made a simple chicken curry with veggies. We also had a side salad. It was a low key chill day, February 21st.  Granted I was a tad worried how the next day would go down. Would I find my way back to the school? I have my kiddo depending on me! Would I get a parking? Sigh, that parking was making me a ball of nerves. Please say I get a parking spot! 

While the kids were in the shower and getting their PJs on, I meanwhile got the kodomokai gifts packed up. I had to buy 5 gifts for boys and 3 gifts for girls. I was reimbursed. The price on Amazon was 900 yen each. Which is sky high. But I found them half cheaper on Rakuten. Because of my savings, each child could now get 2 boxed eraser making kits, versus just 1. Every boy received a hamburger combo/set eraser making kit and a sushi eraser making kit. The girls received a donut and a chocolate eraser making kit. : ) 

I found really nice cloth gift bags from the Daiso. : )

Two presents per package. I hope they liked them. Since I left 30 minutes after it began, I have no idea if they liked them or not. I hope whoever received them, liked them. : )

Because the Bingo game would be the 2nd to last event, they let Noah pick a gift before we left. Noah wanted the eraser making kit, basically the present I picked for the kids. Fair enough, he knew what was inside and liked them. : ) I mentioned to the ladies, not to worry about getting any snacks or drink for Noah. However, that night...after the Eiken, after everything the prez showed up at my door with an additional gift for Noah and snacks and a drink. I mentioned...Noah has his gift remember? She said..."so many kids didn't show today...please give this to Noah-chan." And she smiled. I head bowed her and I said thank you. What a good friend. : ) 

She also gave me these drinks...yakuin members usually get drinks afterwards. again I told her...I barely did anything. She said...you did plenty and gave these to me. : ) She's a very good lady. And I am lucky she is my friend. : ) 

Two eraser making kits and a chocolate fondue type a set. I know what Noah will be doing now (he says he will share with his brother). : )  Anyway so let's get to the bare bones of that day. Sunday February 22nd.

I went to bed by 9pm the night before. I knew how important Sunday was for me. I knew I had my yakuin duties. I also had to drive B to the Eiken and I had to be on my A game. I couldn't get lost. I need a parking...even a pay 1000 yen type a parking. But most important thing I needed to get some sort of parking. I woke up at 5:30am on Sunday. I had 1 hot coffee. Read my emails. Sadly had no time to reply to any of them. Read some online news. Went upstairs, washed my face, brushed my teeth. Some face lotion. Waited a few minutes, put my make up on. Flat ironed my hair. Woke up the kids. I told them this exactly...because I am honest to my kids...they need to know what's up.

"Today is going to be *crazy* busy...we have a few tiny hoops we have to jump through today kids. But if we can clear all the hoops... at the end of the day...we're going to be done. And I don't mean slightly done. I'm talking..."mama's done with the yakuin kids club duties FOREVER" type done. Okay so hoop #1 we gotta go and do mom's kids club duty first. Step #2, mom needs to find her way to Narita International High School. Step #3 is the most important step of the day kids...mom needs a parking. If mom gets a parking, you can all let out a huge sigh of relief. Most important step of the day, get a parking. Step 4 Branden do your Eiken...you got this kiddo and that's up to you. Step 5 we need to find our way back home. LOL. Once we are done. We will be doing the booty dance, the happy dance...the... we did it dance, yay us. Does everyone understand the goals of today? Any questions? Anyone anyone...Bueller Bueller?" They understood. They ate some cereal real quick. I ate nothing. Call it nerves or what. But I had 1 cup of coffee and that is it for me, all day long. The kids took 1 long tube of Pringles sour cream and onion chips in the car for just in case. Our day did not allow lunch. Sorry. It was just gonna be one of those days. I also had two 500ml yuzu drinks in the car half frozen. In case anyone was dying of thirst that day. Everyone got dressed and ready. Set and go! Off to place #1. I was the first to arrive at the plaza. Probably because I felt so guilty and bad about having to leave the kids club event so early. We all started setting up right away. Branden unloaded the speaker and microphone stuff out of the prez's car. Noah and I carried things into the big gymnasium type area. I also carried my gifts inside as well. Oh how was the weather Sunday? Freezing cold...gray overcast and raining super hard all day long. I also traded cars with Noboru that day. Because the mini minivan is super tiny and can fit anywhere and again I was already worried about parking, so taking the smallest slimmest car was sorta important for that day. Us yakuin was there at the plaza. The new replacement yakuin was supposed to also show up however out of 7 of them, only 1 showed. The one who showed has a son is Branden's grade and a daughter who is a 5th grader right now and will be a 6th grader in April. And we also asked any current 6th grade mom's who are not yakuin to also come and help... out of a bunch, only 3 came and helped. 2 of them came from my street. So I was happy. : )  Yay boy next door's mom and also yay for R's mama. : )  I made 2 paper mache carnations while waiting. We all needed about 6, I made 2 of them while others helped too. The kids all arrived at 10am. It was fun. I watched and helped 2 different games. The last game I watched, I was laughing so hard. The kids were running in a hamster wheel type thing...handmade out of cardboard boxes. It was hilarious. It was so funny I was crying...happy tears. And this was good because it took my mind on the busy-ness of the day. By the time I looked...it was time to leave. I waved Noah to come to me and we went and grabbed Branden out of the library and I waved at my fellow yakuin members and they all told Branden good luck!!! We hopped in the gray/silver mini mini van and we hit the road. I told the boys. Okay kids...task #1 is completed. Now we must all keep our eyes on the road and make sure mom gets to Narita International High School. Having only driven there once before in my life. I didn't miss a beat! I got us there absolutely no problem. No trouble at all actually. Before we were about to arrive though...I started to worry about the parking spot. My stomach was in knots, you guys. As we turned the corner, I see every parking space available in the first parking for the park. Relief. However as I got to the entrance the entrance was closed. It was gated. Duh, no wonder every space was available...it's closed! Remain calm Gina...remain calm. I know there is another similar size parking up ahead, but my odds of it being closed is high. I see a small parking spot between the 2 public park parking spots and I pull in. What is this place? I don't know. I see 5 open parking spots. The Eiken interview for everyone and about a bazillion kids getting there is 12:50am. It is now currently 11:05am. Yes I purposely left freakishly early to hopefully give me an advantage of finding a parking. I quickly park my car in a spot. The spots are so narrow, thank goodness I traded cars for the day. I do not want to get too overly happy though. I ask Branden to read the sign of this place. He says it's a sports center. I trust Branden. But to make sure my car won't be towed away. I take a picture via LINE. Send it to Noboru. he calls me back saying the same exact thing Branden did...and Noboru says...you are allowed to park there for free! Huge sigh of relief. I thanked Noboru hung up. And exhaled really big again. I did it!!! I found a parking space. I now know...it is only because I wisely came freakishly early. By the way... there was a mother and JHS daughter also waiting for the Eiken test, 2 cars away. They were there even earlier than us. The kids and I sat in the car for almost an hour. Until noon. At noon we hopped across the street and stood in line. Sign in was at 12:15. The lady hopped out of her car 2 cars down, when I opened my car. So she and her daughter and me and the boys hopped the street together. And made out way to Narita International High School together. At the entrance, there was 4 eighth graders from our town JHS. They all in unison greeted me and bowed. I greeted them. The lady and her JHS daughter now turned around and looked at me and she asked me, if I was one of the Eiken examiners. @_@ No, I am not...they live in the same town as us, I told her. "Ohhh" she said. : ) That made me smile. We stood in line. There was 2 kids in front of me and the kids. We were 3rd. But the first signing in for the level 2. I had told both boys that morning not to forget their inside shoes. That we would obviously be needing them at the high school. I packed Branden's in the Adidas bag. I packed up Noah's and I packed my slippers too. The note said this school has no slippers to borrow anyone. @_@ As we were 3rd standing in line. Branden tells me...."I forgot my inside shoes at home"..."you forgot your shoes...how on earth could you forget your inside shoes, I packed them in a bag for you and everything" Given the fact I have a western face...and someone just mistaken me for the examiner. @_@ I do stick out. And given I am now speaking at super speeds to my son, well because I am slightly irritated. I stop and remind myself something, that usually helps me. "It is, what it is" So, I immediately stop. I breath deeply and I just say in a quiet voice. "I love you honey...I wish you would have brought your shoes. It's clearly too late to do anything about it now. Would you like to borrow my slippers" He looks at me beyond mortified and says. "Mom your slippers look like ballet shoes." I said..."yes, well because I'm a girl." Yeah I know, he says...no thanks. "Alrighty suit yourself sweet pea."...By now I am just glad I got there... glad I found a parking. And sure I wish he had his shoes...but you know what...it is, what it is. My getting all riled up about it... is gonna do nothing, except perhaps give me a stress heart attack. Am I right or what? Hahaha. So, I just chill and stand next to my child...mellow and feeling relief.

About 10 minutes later, my really good friend comes to say "hey!!!" Her daughter rocked the level 2. She has experience taking the other tests. So, she is a pro at knowing this stuff. She tells me, "let's go sit in the parents room. There is a heater and stuff in there and we can't go where the kids are anyways" So, I told Branden I would be in the parents room and I told him good luck. She is honestly one of my *very* best friends here in Japan. We go to movies together, out to lunch together. We have a plan to go to the movie in March. We went to Coco's together a while back. She has 2 beautiful daughters. Her oldest daughter is an 8th grader, but I knew her oldest daughter since she was a blue badge/nencho of yochien. And she knew Bran since he was a 2nd to last year of yochien, a nenchu. I knew her youngest daughter since she was 3 years old and she knew Noah since he was a baby!!! We've been friends for years. So we went in the parents room. Everyone sorta sat separated from each other, the other parents and nobody talked to another, except us, hahaha.  We just chit chatted and non stop talked the entire time. It was so nice to be there with a friend.  The Eiken was to start at 1pm and given Branden was first in line for the level 2 and the test was only 5-7 minutes. By now it's 1:45pm, and my friend and I are still chatting. I did open the door and saw Bran at the end of the hallway still standing in the first place spot. So we were wondering, what...why? A man came and spoke so loudly in the hall, that all us parents heard. He said...sorry but the morning group testing/taking the interview ran way over time so that's why they are delayed. Also apparently there was a whole other group testing at 4pm-ish. @_@  Okay...now that we knew it would be delayed. We just kept talking. Noah was meanwhile using his tablet. So he was occupied. But he was right near us 2 mamas. : )  As soon as the afternoon kids got moving Branden came out fairly quick. I waved and said good-bye to my friend and we left. I looked for her daughter because I wanted to tell her..."good luck and gambatte" but Branden apparently talked to her upstairs, he told me...she was upstairs. So I could not say hi! 

Anyway...so we we left the building and it was still raining. And there were cars all parking along the roads...even though there were huge..."don't park here" signs...just lots of parents sitting and waiting in cars for their kids. That made me so thankful we came early when we did. Also the line of kids...was HUGE. There were about 80-90 kids in the level 2 lane and over 100 in the level 3 lane. Not even counting the ones upstairs. And the morning group of kids and the evening group of kids. Huge mass amounts of kids basically.  We now get into the car. And I happily turn to the kids and I say...1 step left. That's just get ourselves home! Within 5 minutes of getting into the car. Noah was fast asleep in the back seat all nicely strapped into his booster seat and stuff though. Branden's now bigger than me, so he rides in the front seat with me. And we had the radio streaming from Denver playing. Kool 105 an oldies radio station. 70's and 80's. I'm driving in the rain. After we realize Noah is zonked out to the world in the back seat. Branden turns to me and says. "mom?" I said while driving "yes?"  "I'm really sorry I forgot my shoes today, that was pretty careless of me and I should have brought them"...I think for a few seconds. Because in that instant I realize...man what a good kid he is. So, I say..."that's okay Bran, sometimes people forget stuff, we're not perfect, we all forget stuff from time to time honey and I don't ever want you to think you have to be perfect okay...because you're already perfect to me" I forgot to take my camera today to the kodomo kai and my phone... I even forgot and left it in the car...right?" He said...yeah you're right. Then the conversation stops...the windshield wiper blade are going back and forth a mile a minute, because it is raining like crazy. We both sit buckled into our seats listening to the radio. A couple minutes later Branden said again.."mom?" I answered.."yes?" And he just simply said..."thank you for driving me today"...I pat his knee twice and I say.."oh honey, you are most welcome...I will always be there for you and your brother NO MATTER WHAT, okay? No matter what!!!" The car goes quiet again. Between Narita and our town we mostly have curvy roads with few stop lights. However about 10 minutes later at a red light, I turn and look at Branden and he's fast asleep. I turn my head and see a fast asleep Noah in the back seat too. At this instant I feel so happy. I took a deep sigh. Happy sigh. : ) I now drive a tad slower, because my 2 most important treasures in my whole life are strapped in the car with me and I want to keep them both safe. So, I watch my driving. And just quietly listen to the radio all the way back to our tiny town. It's around 3:05pm by the time we arrive home. Honestly I am dead exhausted and I am so freaking hungry! I had not 1 dot to eat all day long. We already had a plan the day ahead that for Sundays dinner we would be going to Saizeriya. Because well...I would be out all day long. I would be exhausted. Noboru was at work all day long too. I did *so* good Sunday, I tried so hard...I kicked major butt. : ) I had a bunch of tasks that needed to get scratched off the list and I did them all. And we were now home. I pulled into the drive way. Noboru was just arriving at home too. I woke the boys and we went into the house. Phew. What a day. It was not a horrible day. It was a good day actually. Just a *very* busy day. Slightly nerve wracking day... only because I was worried about parking. But other then that. It went pretty well. The fact that it was such a rainy day, played in my favor and that's probably the only reason there was parking available when I got there. So very happy it rained all day Sunday.

Dinner picture from that evening at Saizeriya. I had pasta and pizza. Noah and Bran both had a doria and a pizza each and Noboru had a hamburg meal. We all had the drink bar. Branden shared his Eiken test story. He said his examiner was Japanese. However the shocking part for Branden was he said that his tester looked EXACTLY like Noboru. He said, "dad he looked exactly like you...not similar, but exactly the same." Hahaha. So that sorta caught Branden by surprise. LOL.  We all had so many stories to share with one another during dinner. Branden's JHS tests are now over with until April! Branden's Eiken is done. So Branden is sorta free now ...sure he has regular homework, but he feels really good now. And me...A whole year, of a whole lotta busy. Just finished and completed. Granted I do have 1 last meeting March 29th but that is for us to go and report our end of service to the housing community committee. The 2  kids club accountants will do all the talking I will just stand there or sit there, same for the rest of us. Technically the accountants could go alone without the rest of us...but by us going it officially ends our term. And the new yakuin becomes official that day too. From what I hear, they will be there too. But besides the technical signing over part on March 29th, I am done ya'll. I am now free, free, free. My weekends now belong to me and my family. My time is now my own. And I have been a yakuin at the school before, but it's not nearly as time consuming as this kids club stuff is. Because  the kids club stuff is on weekends and evenings...that's why it gobbles up so much free time. The shogakko/elementary school yakuin stuff never took this much of my time. Whatever though...I am done. Phew. : )  Anyway that is the story of Sunday February 22nd for our family. Eiken level 2 is done and my yakuin duties are complete. Just 1 last meeting March 29th though. : )

Christmas Party 2014...

Saturday, December 13th was our housing community's, Christmas party for the kids club. It's for all kids between 1st grade to 6th grade. We had the party at the town plaza. The party was from 10am-11:30am. We yakuin had to be there from 9am. And all mom's who have 6th grade kids were asked to come and help us, as support helpers. : ) The support helpers came at 9:45am. All the presents on the right/farthest back were the presents for the boys. All the presents closest my camera were for the girls. : ) 

Branden came as my helper. : ) He enjoys helping the kids/his friends. Plus he got lots of drinks and snacks for helping, so he was pretty happy. : ) And look who is at the right of the camera...Noah and Lily-chan again. : ) I tell you...they're such good friends! Like peas in a pod! : ) Remember what Noah said...she sharpens his pencils. : ) Hahaha. That still makes me smile, just thinking about that! : ) 

You remember the "telephone game" Where you whisper a sentence or something into some one's ear and they tell the next person and so on and so on and by the time you get to the back of the line/lane...the sentence isn't even remotely what it started out to be?! lol! : ) That's what we played! And because of flu season we used this handmade device to make sure the kids, were all good. : ) 

This is what team yellow heard. From the telephone game. : ) 

This is what team red heard. And yes they all heard the same thing, lol, but again...by the time the story gets passed down the line...stories often change. : ) Oh dear! : )

Team blue...heard something... but then they freaked and realized what they heard was wrong so they rewrote what they heard.  I just happily watched and had a big smile on my face. I had a big smile on my face because... us yakuin had worked so hard and had been planning and meeting since the beginning of October, all about this Christmas party. And just seeing how much fun the kids were having. Seeing them all scratch the phrase out and rewrite it. It was just all so worth it!!! Do you know what I mean, gosh I hope so. Seeing the kids enjoy it. Seeing their faces light up all morning. It just made every thing that us ,yakuin do...worth it! Because I love the kids...I love seeing all their little faces get all happy. And team white wants to beat team blue. And team blue wants to beat team red. And they're really trying so hard (girls are whispering in their friends ears.."I think the message was" THIS, they'd whisper..."no no no that wasn't the message" one would say back. And frankly I don't care who wins...I just love watching all the kids have a blast. Every Saturday that I gave up...being at a meeting. All of it just honestly melts away...seeing their excitement. On this day we realize...this was so worth it! The feeling was so good. We started the day off with a quiz. And I held the agree/true circle sign. And the kids all ran to my side of the room if they agreed with the question. 2 of us ladies were just shaking our signs...come on kids. And they'd run into either the X or O side. There I was holding a great big O sign. : ) All my fellow yakuin were at the back of the room smiling. We had Christmas music playing. Some kids were talking to me in Japanese. Some kids came and talkjed to me in English (good morning...how are you? : ) "I'm fine, thank you...how are you?" : ) 

These ladies were our helpers and supporters for that day. And I am so very thankful they came to help! Noah was tossing the ball into our neighbor who lives 2 houses away from us, holding the red basket. : ) Everyone wore Santa hats, which were provided by us yakuin! Though, I wore antlers because I was a reindeer to help Santa deliver presents. : ) The whole mood was festive...all the kids were happy, no kid fights this year. Last year we had 1 great big kid physical fight, between 2 of Noah's classmates last year. We had to break up. This year was cool, the day had a real good vibe. All us mom's gel together real well. All the helpers are so nice. It was just a good day. And plus I knew as soon as we got this day scratched off...our duties for 2014 were done. So Saturday was really positive! Just sit back and enjoy the day, but also knowing full and well that as soon as Saturday's over..we are done yakuin/PTA wise for 2014!!! 

Noah shaking the two 500ml bottles taped together... with tiny bouncy balls inside it. The kids were having a blast. Us mom's were having a blast too. : )

While my fellow VP was outside doing the capsule foam creatures in water game outside with the kids. The rest of us all very quickly set up the room for cake and drinks. We had to pull a whole bunch of tables out, a whole bunch of chairs out. I handled all the drinks and placed them like this. : )  We had Calpis, Milk tea, CC Lemon (which CC Lemon was the kids least picked/chosen drink of the day) Coke and Fanta grape soda. Noah picked a Fanta Grape. 

The kids outside finishing up the sponge animal creatures in water game. Meanwhile like little elves... all us yakuin and helpers rocked it...and I set up many chairs, we all did. We all were working hard. : ) 

Everyone got a slice of cake from 7-11, a tiny spoon to eat with and a Christmas napkin. One of my fellow yakuin works part time at 7-11 and so she ordered all the cakes for our party. So that was so nice of her to do that. : ) 

And all set up. Tables set up, chairs nicely set. The cake we passed around. And the kids were all peeking through the glass doors ready to come inside! : )

We had party poppers! Streamers popped out of them!

Santa/the prez! : ) Us 2 VP's were standing back here with gifts. I held the boy gifts and she held the girl gifts. Santa knew already which one of us held, which gifts. : ) Oh, this is a funny story. So, I'll share this story. : )  I am only showing you a pic of her from the back so you can't see who she is really. : ) Anyway she's my real good friend and the mom on the right closest my camera in brown boots and Santa hat, in this pic. She's got a 3rd grade son and a 6th grade daughter. She is one of the head hoikuen mom's and she is the one who invited me to the 3rd grade moms party a few weeks back, so she's super cool you guys and a real nice lady. Anyway, her personality is she's like a comedian she just puts everyone in a real good mood, always cracking jokes and making everyone laugh. Anyway she told us all at the ,yakuin meetings since October..."the gifts I will buy for the Christmas party will be ONLY useful gifts!!!" Everyone said...no way! You're kidding! She said..."no! I'm not kidding I won't buy any gifts unless...they are useful and can be used in daily life!" : ) So each meeting we had she's say the same thing. And many mom's were really thinking...she's pulling our leg. And each week she'd say..."I will be buying tooth brush kits...pillows or underwear!!!" Those were her 3 choices. And again everyone thought. No way, she's got to be pulling our leg!" Right? Wrong!!! The 3rd grade mom party I went to a few weeks back. Anyway we all went to that and in came my yakuin funny mom friend and she brought this gift with beautiful red wrapping paper. It was bigger than most peoples gifts. And I wondered what she brought. And I ended up getting somebody else's gift. However...so the person who unwrapped her gift...unwrapped it and guess what she gave the fellow 3rd grade mom? A pillow! The mom was a tad surprised! But tried to smile best she could. And funny mom turned to me and said..."you know Gina-san...I always tell you I only buy useful gifts ne!!! : ) Anyway, I thought holy smokes she was NOT kidding, she was serious. So all these past few weeks...the other mom's would tease her...and she'd say...I am going to buy the kids useful gifts...pillows for them all... or toothbrushes!!! A few managed to talk her out of the underwear idea. : )  Okay so now that you know that part...I'll tell you the end... after a few paragraphs below. : ) 

Look...the most precious little girl opening up... the make your own bakery eraser kit! And see the Kit Kat taped on the package. : ) So many of the other little girls wanted her make your own eraser bakery kit. I am so glad she received this. And it made me wish I could have found more of those kits. Again seeing their smiles opening the gifts that we picked just....and sorry if it sounds corny but it just gave me such joy. I was beaming from ear to ear...I was so happy. Especially seeing how happy she was getting this! : )  Of course I couldn't show or act like I was the one who gave that to her of course...but when I spotted her open that gift, I watched from afar....and since many were taking pics....I made sure to take a pic just of the gift and her tiny hands....awww, I was so thrilled. Her mom works at my hair salon by the way. They're a real good family. Real nice folks. : ) 

Noah was deciding if he wanted a random gift or one of mom's gifts. I wanted him to get a random gift. Apparently as the kaicho was handing out the gifts in the middle row, Noah spotted the American flag bags and he asked the prez if he could have that one and since she's my good friend, she went over there and gave it to Noah at his request. So Noah knew it was one of mommy's gifts but didn't know which one. He unwrapped it and it was Mr. Potato head. : ) So...we thought that was the last we'd see of Potato Head...apparently not! Welcome back Mr. Potato head. : ) Anyway...back to the pillow story. So the pillows were wrapped and the biggest gifts out of all the gifts. Many of the kids wanted that big gift...in the red bag. Not sure how the other kids liked the pillows, they were very useful. But 1 boy...he wanted the biggest gift (not knowing it was a pillow) and the Kaicho gave him one. He unwrapped it and he could not hide his disappointment. : ( He said so loudly...I got this stupid pillow.  Awww. : ( He just left the pillow on the table for the longest time. Everyone else had received...comic books...little cars...gloves...handkerchiefs in certain characters, books. But that 1 specific kid was so troubled about the pillow. He wanted a recount...he wanted a recall...a do over! He let the whole room know about it. Branden even came over to me and said..."mom that boys not happy with his gift"...I told Branden...the reason they want each of us mom's to buy 7 gifts each...is to get a nice mix of different personalities...and end up with different gifts. I reminded Branden Mrs. (last name) always buys useful gifts and you know...that's okay...that's her way and nothing wrong with that. : ) The good thing is the other kids who received the pillows were quiet, not vocal about it, one way or the other. But he was really upset about the whole "Pillow-gate 2014!!!" Just wasn't happy about it at all. : )  Anyway enough pillow talk. : ) Anyway the party was over and done. The kids all left... all the parents came to pick them up. We all waved the kids and parents good bye and we went into the building. We all moved the tables and chairs back. The helpers swept. I took the decorations off the chalk board/white board for Saya-chan's mom to pick up. She was coming back at noon to pick them up. She only has 1 child...Saya-chan in Bran's grade.... but she's very nice and helpful and lent us the Christmas decorations. : )  So I got everything wrapped up nicely to give back to her. We thanked the helpers and they could leave, they were free. Us yakuin had to stay. We had a mini meeting about when to meet in January. I jotted the info down in my calendar. I ran and closed the blinds. Someone turned the heat off, someone turned the lights off. We went outside, Saya-chan's mom was pulling up, I ran to her car and gave her the decorations and bowed and thanked her and stuff. Ran back and us yakuin all otsukaresama deshita-ed each other. We all waved. And Branden and Noah and I hopped into Olive (my black Leaf/car) and we headed home. Hallelujah..I am done. I went home and did my happy dance. Switched from normal clothes to comfy yoga pants, long sleeve Old Navy tee. Went into the sink area upstairs put my hair into a pony tail and washed my make up off with some cleansing cream, then washed my face with some Dove face wash. Side note...the Dove is okay but my face is still feeling super stripped. : ( I think I need to look for a little gentler face wash. Anyway, the kids and I had some lunch. And I took an hour long nap on the couch. I was happy it was over ya'll... but I was also physically exhausted...I mean, I am a flesh and bone human here....I get tired same as everyone else, especially waking up so early. : ) So, an hour snooze recharged my batteries and then I woke up, I felt back to my normal self and I made curry. Made some handmade chicken cutlets. 

Saturday nights dinner. Just a simple, but nice and hearty chicken cutlet curry here at home. Otsukaresama!!! Meaning, job well done...I did it. : )  Anyway that was what we were up to on Saturday December 13th and that's how the Christmas party turned out. : ) It was pretty good. And now all my duties are finished until 2015. : )