Happy Birthday Branden...

Branden turned age 17, October 26th! Considering, I started blogging in the year 2005! You all have virtually watched Bran grow up, since age 4!!! And ya'll have seen Noah grow up his *entire* life, since he was born in 2005! It's no wonder that for many of you. You feel that we're family or a close friend that you get to keep an eye on virtually. You've seen all our ups and all our downs. And all the bumps in between. But seriously, can you guys believe B is 17 years old? Sincerely, thank you for always reading and caring about us. Branden needed more sweatshirts with the cooler weather coming. And so, I drove Bran to Marshalls and also to the shopping mall and he picked out stuff in his style and stuff he liked.  

Bran picked up this Japanese style sweatshirt at Marshalls. I think it was $14. He loved it. At the mall, we hit Old Navy and he went straight for these super warm fleece men's cardigans. They were around $35 bucks each, but on sale, I think originally $40. They look... sorta like a "grandpa sweater", dykwim? But it's updated...and this is modern now...I have seen many stylish young dudes wearing this style now days and plus they're not like itchy wool, that means hand washing and stuff. It's fleece, so super easy toss in the washing machine. So a modern update for this men's cardi. He picked navy and gray. So 3 new sweatshirts for his birthday. 

Plus, please consider he got a huge birthday gift of getting to go to driving school and considering driving school costs $400. Yeah that price tag shocked us, as parents. But, he was super happy about getting to be in driving school. Apparently mostly every state now days makes you... take drivers ed. Granted back in my day? You could take drivers ed at school. But it was optional. It gave you a cheaper insurance rate for your car. But drivers ed was not mandatory. And you could pay $5 bucks to get a drivers permit in Colorado back in the day, if you passed the written test and then 6 month's later, pass the drivers test and pay a small fee of $20 dollars for a drivers license. So considering it was *so* cheap in my day...this $400 stuff, shocks me. But maybe that's just how it's done now days. Also, we purchased Bran's homecoming outfit too. Which was a shocking $165 dollars. I went to homecoming all 4 years back in the day, myself. I bought a dress for $60 dollars, maybe some accessories and that was basically it. Homecoming is supposed to be cheaper than prom. I never realized sons/boys have such expensive stuff to buy. Bow tie was $40!!! Plus dress shoes, dress socks. Vest. Dress pants, dress shirt. OMG! Thank goodness Noboru was here for that, to help us shop for teen guy stuff. Let's just say, October, with homecoming, plus a birthday, plus driving school. Holy crap! Glad October is done. Let's put it nicely like that. 

Noboru told Bran, he could pick any restaurant for his birthday. That we could go and eat as a family of 4, before Noboru went back to Japan. B picked the Red Lobster. Noboru and I were secretly hoping he'd pick The Outback Steakhouse. But he picked The Red Lobster. Which is fine. It's his birthday. 

The 3 of us picked the Endless Shrimp. Noah.... disliking seafood completely had the chicken strip meal. 

Our server was amazing, he was a high school boy/guy and so funny. He had us all laughing. He kept bring out more and more endless cheddar bay biscuits. We all enjoyed our salads. Our sodas, which he refilled them so many times.

The first plate of shrimp wiped me out. I was done. I enjoyed my baked potato and shrimp (fried and scampi). Noah finished his meal and we both munched cheddar garlic biscuits. While we watched Noboru and Branden get refills of more shrimp. They both have such hearty appetites. It was actually funny to watch.

You can pick different types of shrimp, after you finish your original choices you picked. Bran picked the shrimp fettuccine and the panko shrimp as his refill picks. Noboru had the same as his first plate. It was a wonderful birthday dinner, best enjoyed together, as our family of 4. 

October 26th landed on a Friday, this year. Branden had expected dinner at home. Since he had a Drivers Ed driving lesson at 6:30pm that night. And since he knew we celebrated and went out to eat... when his dad was here. But, I had something up my sleeve. You know me. : ) Friday's the kids get out early. And our plan was to go pick up a birthday cake from Walmart and to buy our movie tickets for the next day. I had asked B, where do you want your birthday cake from? Baskin Robbins? DQ? Safeway? Where? We looked all month. The DQ cakes don't have actual sponge cake, just crumbles. So, Bran wanted the cake from Walmart. And I agreed, it looked best. But, before we went to get movie tickets or cake, I made a detour to DQ and we 3 had a quick meal of the $5 buck combo. It was just a little thing, but they were both pleasantly surprised. Which made me happy. They came with free sundaes too. So we were stuffed. Then we went to get the movie tickets, for the next day. And then we went to get his birthday cake. Many different flavors and choices and he picked the one he wanted.

Two layers of actual cake. And it was fresh and soft sponge cake...not...it's been in the freezer for centuries. It was super fresh. The frosting was really delicious light whipped cream. 

The cake was gorgeous. And the best part... it was only $14.99. A perfect price and we each had a slice Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I would definitely buy this cake again. Loved the freshness, loved the flavor, loved the price. When the time came, I zipped Bran to driving school for his lesson and he drove himself back home. It was a quiet birthday. Low key... which as you know, has always been our style. Stress-free birthday. But a nice one. Grandpa in Denver sent birthday money. And Noboru left him some birthday money before he left too. This kid feels loved, there's no doubt about that.

The next day, the 3 of us went to go and see Venom. This movie has been out in the United States for a full month already. I wanted to see it while Noboru was here. But Noboru was like.."it has horrible reviews" And so we didn't see it. As for me, I wanted to see it. Not every review on a movie, I agree with anyways. The kids wanted to see this too. How did we like this movie? We loved it! My kids were even still talking about it the next day. Granted, would I buy the DVD? Probably not. But, I'd see it again in the airplane. We had popcorn with extra butter and movie theater salt. We had large sodas and chocolate bars. We truly had a nice time at the movies. I would have taken them to the movie on his actual birthday but, B had a driving lesson. But yep, a great movie. And a perfect low key relaxing....super chill birthday. 

Branden's Birthday...

We always go out to dinner when it's someone in our family's birthday. Branden's birthday is October 26th and it fell on a Thursday this year. Noboru had to work that day. So we decided it would be best for us to go out for an early birthday dinner celebration on Monday October 23rd instead. We asked Branden what he'd like to eat, which restaurant he'd like to go to... since it's his birthday. Would he like to go to a Steakhouse? Yakiniku? Cappricciosa? The Outback Steakhouse? His choice 100%. He picked Jolly Pasta. It was a fantastic choice. The quality of food there is quite high. It's no Saizeriya. Granted Saizeriya is perfect for a quick meal on the cheap on a regular day, and we go there for regular times (not birthdays) But Jolly Pasta's quality is perfect for a birthday and the fact you can get an all you can drink... drink bar too, if you order that. It's awesome. Also another super cool thing is. Our nearest Jolly Pasta is in Chiba City. Chiba City is quite far from where we live in rural Chiba nearly 1 second away from Ibaraki. It takes us a full hour to drive there. And 1 full hour to drive back to the countryside. But...lucky for us...Ibaraki has finally got it's 2nd Jolly Pasta in Ibaraki prefecture and it's actually a quick drive for us...with all rural country roads with no/zero stop lights. So it's a fast 30 minute drive there for us, from our house. So half closer for us. It's brand new, just opened at the end of September. September 27th or something. So we now have a closer to us Jolly Pasta. As a family who lives way out in the middle of nowhere...it's amazing that we finally have a closer to us Jolly Pasta in Ibaraki. So that's where we were Monday October 23rd. It was a day of no school/canceled school because of the typhoon. And so we zipped there around 4pm. Arrived near 4:30pm.

They have delicious pasta and pizza combos. We each picked a pasta and pizza combo each. 

Our family loves that chili oil they have at Jolly Pasta. Branden was using it in this pic. On our way out, we bought one of the chili oils. Yum. We have been using it at home ever since. Dinner was fantastic. We had such a good time there. Dinner was delicious. 

Noboru had a hot coffee at the restaurant before we left and the kids and I each had a hot cocoa to drink before we left and drove home. 

We had cake and ice-cream to celebrate on Monday after we got back from dinner. And cake all week long even on Branden's actual birthday. 

A bit blurry, but Bran blowing out his birthday candles. We all enjoyed some cake and ice-cream. 

Birthday money for the birthday teen. 20,000 yen from us. $200 from the best greatest grandpa in the universe. 5,000 yen from grandma Mitsuko. 

Just some of what grandpa had to say. How lovely. Branden saves all of grandpa's birthday cards and so does Noah too. So do I. : )

We also bought Branden a brand new Ultra Light down winter coat from Uniqlo. It's not a school coat. It's for weekends. It's in navy blue. And as for his birthday money...Branden is saving his money until he figures out what he should buy. Branden has a laptop, just got it this year. He also has a super nice tablet and a nice cellphone too. He has clothes. Honestly...he really doesn't need or want for anything really. But we still wanted to celebrate him. And so...whenever he decides what he wants to use with his birthday money...he'll let us know. But for now. He's saving it. Smart kid...smart kid. : )

Also now that Bran is in high school. And his birthday fell on a Thursday/school day. Some of his closest friends bought him these things on his birthday, while at school. Just small little acts of kindness which I thought were so cool! High school in Japan is so fun! They sang him Happy Birthday. The class announced it. He basically felt special all day long. He was truly beaming and smiling ear to ear, by the time he came home from school that day. And for his actual birthday dinner. I made a great big pot of pork green chili and a pot of beans. And we had bowls of pork green chili and beans and tortillas for his simple but homemade from scratch birthday dinner. It was so delicious. And we had birthday cake and ice-cream for dessert. And that's about it. : ) Happy Birthday Branden. I can barely believe you're 16 years old kiddo! We love you!!!

My birthday...

March is my birthday month. March 22nd is my actual birthday date. I'm an Aries. I'm not into horoscopes at all... whatsoever... but in case someone's wondering, there ya go. LOL. Since it was my birthday month anyway...I just made sure I had a proper pampering a bit here and there all through the month of March. I had known Sephora.com (USA) ships to Japan for ages. However I have yet to place an order since I usually shop their actual store... when I'm in the states. But...ehh with it being my birthday month. I thought why not! I deserve it! : ) 

Just eyebrow products. Anastasia Beverly Hills products. And a pack of blotting papers. Dipbrow, a Brow Wiz and a brow pencil. And a brush with spoolie for using the brow pomade with. 

This isn't available in Japan and it wasn't even sold at the Singapore Sephora, not that we made it there anyway, but I did check though. So, I was happy to have placed my order. I received my order before Branden's JHS graduation. I say that... because I used some of these brow products on myself for his graduation on March 9th. 

Everyone seems to love the Brow Wiz and the brow pomade. I really don't ever hear talk about the brow pencil. And I have been using it since I received it and I love it. It's not waxy *at all* and it glides on and the color is a dead on match for my hair color. I have yet to try the Brow Wiz yet. 

Medium brown. The perfect ashy brown color that matches my hair color. 

Brow pomade in medium brown too. 

These smell like peppermint. And I will save these for summer. Japanese summers are very hot and I think this will be fantastic when summer hits : )

Love the brush and love the spoolie. Her (Anastasia's) spoolies are actually trademarked by the way. Like cult like status... her spoolies are! Hmm that sounded very Yoda-y didn't it? LOL.

What else did I get for my birthday? A new cell phone. Let me start off by saying. My cell phone I was using before this phone. Was so old. Like we're talking dinosaur status. Like way of the dodo type cell phone! So old...many of my apps wouldn't even work or run! LOL. This drove my husband and kids crazy! It drove them so nuts! For years...my husband said. Your phone is too old, let me buy you a phone! I was like..."nope, no thank you. As long as my phone can make calls. That's all I need." This drove everyone in my family absolutely bonkers. To be fair to me, I hate change. I start cooking dinner everyday at around the same time. I clean my house usually on the same days. Same day to clean Noah's room each week for example that sort of thing. Same day to clean the shower room twice weekly. I like and thrive on routine. That way...I stay very organized. It doesn't mean I don't have fun or anything though. But...I just like order and routine. So the thought of changing my phone and having all sorts of new buttons (okay not real buttons but ykwim) and apps. Hmm. Not exactly too appealing. But yep...I finally did it. And fwiw...the ONLY reason I changed phones is because my old phone was slowly dying and it got to the point that if I left my home and my phone was 100% charged and if I drove to pick up the kids from school it would be 10% charged by the time I'd get home. Considering it's a 5 minute drive form my house...ummm. The battery was dying... the phone was near death. So that's the only reason I finally changed phones. I have extended family who change their phones once a year.. just because they want the new model. And well...that's just not me. I keep my phone so long, too long. Like forever. : )

I bought a gold phone, I always knew if I were to ever get a new phone it would be gold. I bought an Android because I prefer Androids. And I bought one specifically with a super long lasting battery. Could be because I'm still recovering from the trauma of my last cell phone and it's short battery life, lol.

This battery lasts days and days and days on 1 charge. It even can power up other phones...which I wouldn't...but this battery is insane. And that's why I picked this one. I also didn't want to pick an expensive phone. Some phones now days are like 60,000 yen. Umm, no way am I spending US$600 bucks on a phone. I wanted to spend only 20,000 yen. And this was like a little over that but close to it. So, I was happy. It was affordable. The color I wanted they had and with a long battery. 

Noboru also purchased me a screen protector and a clear bendy case which I love. 

I love how my phone looks. But how do I like my new phone? Ummm...honestly? I love the new battery. But...it's too new for me still. I have so many apps and things that were not on my old phone. I guess...I'm still getting the hang of it. It will take me a long time to get used to this new phone. So, I like it...but I'm not used to it yet. Put it this way...on my old phone Noboru would LINE message me and I could pick up my old phone with 1 hand and message and reply within 30 seconds. Because the familiarity with my old phone was there. With this new phone? Noboru messaged me a few days ago and it took me a solid 5 minutes to reply. Because well for starters these new phones have ...fingerprint scans to unlock your phone so no one else can see your phone or read your messages but you. So, by the time I unlocked my phone with my index finger...and found the LINE app and clicked that...5 minutes had passed already. @_@  So umm, not quite second nature status yet. But I'm trying. 

So my main gift from Noboru this year for my birthday was a new phone. 

From my dad, I received electronic gift cards from Amazon.com (USA) and Old Navy.com and Gap (USA). And I will show you now what I picked. Also, many of the DVDs are too new and not able to ship but as soon as they can ship they will. I ordered the movie Fifty Shades Darker. 

I picked the movie A Dog's Purpose. This will flat out make you cry. And I can't wait until my copy gets to me. I'm so excited to get this.

Silence. A movie about missionaries who come to Japan and go missing. And I wanted to go and see this at the movies. However, it's 3 hours or so long? And nobody wanted to sit in the movies for 3 long hours. This drove me crazy...because this movie looks so good. And I really wanted to see it. It was available in English in the little city nearest me. However...nobody wanted to sit for a 3 hour movie. So...I was glad to order the DVD...that way I can see this at home. And pause it if anyone wants to go to the restroom or whatnot. : ) 

I like watching movies that show interracial relationships. I especially have huge respect for the couples from the olden days especially. Because it must have been super hard back in those days. I do own the DVD, Dragon the Bruce Lee Story that talks about Linda ( a white woman) marrying Bruce Lee. It's such a good story. And when I saw this commercial for this movie...I was like...wow. Stunned because it looked like a story needing to be shared. They were literally arrested for being in love. Interracial  marriage was flat out illegal in the old days. And this movie will be showing one couple and their story. I can't wait to get this DVD. 

I Am Sam, this movie is not new. But it's awesome. Sean Penn was brilliant in this. And I really wanted to have this in my collection. I also love the soundtrack to this. If I recall the whole soundtrack was Beatles songs. But by different artists though. 

Warmer weather is almost upon us. It's still frankly too cold for shorts weather and short sleeve weather in my part of Japan right now. But...I figured... might as well order a few pieces that will be appreciated and well loved this coming summer. I loved this cheeky black tee. And think it will go great with a pair of skinny bermuda length jean shorts and some low top black converse or flip flops.

These capri pants with draw string waist. The material is so light and will be so perfect once summer hits. And will be perfect in Japan since we dress a little more conservative and respectful in Japan. Meaning you rarely see folks in tank tops or booty shorts here. And if I were to take a flight, I could wear the Pardon my French top and these light weight capris and a distressed jean jacket and some flip flops or low top black converse and I'd be ready to go! : )

A navy blue top with cute ocean waves and I do love the beach, so I love this. And like the girl is wearing jean shorts I will probably wear mine with jean shorts or the navy shorts down below. 

Navy colored shorts. I own the black pair and tan pair of these exact same shorts already. I love these and I love the length... perfect for Japan. Can't wait to get these in preppy navy!

This black shirt is so cute. I also picked this tee in a color called berry smoothie. The bottom of the top is rounded. 

I also picked up the same capri drawstring pants in that airy material in army green. I got these pants on sale for $14 a pair. And a lot of my tops were on sale for US $8. 

Aha this is the top in berry smoothie. See the rounded bottom. It's super cute and having it in black and also this color will be great to wear with jean shorts this summer. The rounded bottom looks super feminine. : )

I also loved this green tee too. And with a pair of denim bermuda length roll up shorts this will be so cute. 

This top had so many likes and good comments. Everyone who ordered this... loved it so much. I too...am a very preppy dresser and with a pair of denim shorts and a pair of low top black converse...sorry if I'm sounding like a broken record here but...yeah this is going to be so cute. So yeah...I have 2 pair of denim shorts from last year and a pair of black shorts and tan shorts from last year that are still like brand new, so I will be wearing those plus adding these new pieces in too. : ) Slowly but surely. Warmer clothing ready...I'm getting there. Also the kids have been getting new summer stuff too, but their stuff will not be on this post...since this is just my birthday post. : )

Why did we fly back to Japan so early Tuesday morning? When we could have flown back Tuesday evening instead? Well because...Noboru was set to work on my birthday March 22nd. But...he had off March 21st, which is the day we flew back to Japan. So we had a family plan to go out for my birthday dinner Tuesday night versus Wednesday night. Which is more than fine. And because he had so many days to take off this month (Bran's JHS graduation, Noah's observation day, etc etc, I told him, not to take off for my birthday because the kids events were more important) Where did I pick to go for my birthday dinner? Jolly Pasta of course. : ) We started off with some appetizers of garlic bread. 

We each had a mini pizza that came with our pastas. We also each had a drink bar too.

We all ordered pastas. And we 4 talked and talked. Branden told us stories of karaaoke and we were laughing hearing so many funny stories. And we told him our Guam stories too. We ate. We talked. We laughed. And then we drove the 1 hour drive back to our town. This is called...living in *real* rural Japan. When everything delicious or good is hours away from where you live! Hahaha. : )

It was a day early but...we all had birthday cake. And my family sang so loud for me! I was laughing...that's how loud they sang! They're silly, they're funny and they always make me laugh. Ice-cream flavors..I almost forgot. Maple walnut and banana was the second flavor on my ice-cream cake. So anyway...that's the long and short of my birthday! It was wonderful! : )

Oh....I also went to the hair salon yesterday. I got 30% off since it is my birthday month, they sent me a postcard with the 30% off last month, for the month of March. That's why it is being mentioned in my birthday post. As you know my hair stylist is taking a 1 year absence due to her being pregnant. So, I am now just seeing any stylist who is available. I had a reservation yesterday morning at 9am. To get a Japanese thermal hair straightening. And a hair cut. My hair coloring, I am doing at home now and so far so good. I had a guy stylist yesterday. How do I like my hair? I love it. My hair is so super straight, so shiny and glossy and sleek. And my hair is all one length to my shoulders. I am so glad I got 30% off. Plus I needed to get my hair done before Bran's entrance ceremony. So now...my hair is all ready. : )