I woke up Saturday, had a cup of coffee, emailed my dad, a few friends and then went upstairs and woke up the kids. We all had cereal and toast. Got dressed, dropped Branden at school at the regular time. And then at 9:30am, we headed to the shogako to have observation day. It was actually pretty fun. They were discussing basically nutrition. The importance of the 4 food groups basically. And the teacher used the word/phrasing "balance" quite a bit. She had asked the kids who would like to choose some of their favorite foods. The food choices were held up on the board with magnets. She wanted to see if the kids had a balanced diet by what they chose!!! I could see so many mother's wincing. I think I even winced a few times myself. She called first a little girl. And 2nd person she picked...she called out...Branden-san...Branden-san. @_@ All the parents looked on. It turns out the things B picked, the sensei said....he had a great balance. meaning he was indeed eating foods from all groups. Phew!!!! Another kid was picked and went. And a few more. One kid, picked fried this, fried that and fried something else all for one meal. The mom was closing her eyes so tight. She was laughing and wincing. The sensei said, you don't have good balance. @_@ It was all in fun, so nothing too serious or anything. It definitely involved us parents Saturday. And I think I had the word....balance...stuck in my head all of last Saturday after that. ; ) After the observation day. The kids all went into the gymnasium. And us parents and Noah and 2 other little kids (siblings) all stayed and had a class meeting with the teacher. It wasn't a very serious talk at all. She just spoke about some of the Summer homework they'd be getting when school lets out. I seem to recall her saying a 3 day diary or something along those lines. but they have to do those every Summer even when B was an ichinensei and a ninensei as well. So we basically just heard a brief outline of what the homework the 3rd graders would be getting. And then she said....does anyone have any concerns or questions? I figured nobody would say a peep and then we'd all be excused to leave. Nope. One asked a question and then it seemed that each person in the huge circle was going to speak. Again nothing too deep. One person said she's having a hard time getting her child to do his homework and a few shook their heads. Another had a question regarding swimming at the elementary, the teacher could answer her question real quick. And then next person. When it got to me. Honestly I really didn't have any huge question or anything. So, I just said...I really don't have any pressing questions at the moment and then it moved on to the next person. Everyone spoke basically and then we all left. Noah and I were about to leave the classroom. And then 2 mother's approached Noah and I. They said..."my son" and the other one said, "my daughter"....were at your house last week" Thank you for having them and providing snacks and drinks. The mom of the boy said...my son said you made such delicious popcorn. My cheeks felt a bit hot... so I imagine they turned bright red. Bowed my head a few times and then said...my pleasure, your kids are welcome anytime. Please let them come again. And then, I waved and Noah and I went downstairs, found B and we left. Okay, at that moment my weekend officially started. Maybe only a 1 day weekend but that is okay. : ) I enjoyed it. We went home, had lunch and I enjoyed Saturday immensely. What did I do? Nothing much. Just relaxed at home, hung out in my house shorts and a tee shirt. Wiped my makeup off. Because at home I never wear any. Put my hair in a pony tail. And enjoyed the rest of Saturday.
Sunday morning, I called my dad. We had a good talk. He indeed is back to normal. That scare is still in my mind but honestly I think the meds have kicked in and he seems back to normal health wise. It was the 4th of July on Sunday. We BBQ so much, we decided not to BBQ. Instead it was just a basic restful peaceful day. I made niku jaga for dinner, probably a very un 4th of July type of meal. Sorry. ; ) I sat on the back terrace for a long time and watched the boys play. Came in to make dinner. After dinner and showers. The boys and I watched... Little Women on the LaLa channel.
Such a great movie, I always enjoy watching this when I get the chance. We had a bowl of popcorn. Noah crashed and so I carried him upstairs. And B watched the whole movie with me.
Monday. Since Branden had school on Saturday that meant he did not have school Monday however Noah did. Branden got up with me, and help me make obento for Noah. We dropped off Noah that morning. We picked 3 zucchini, Noboru made tempura out of 1 of the zucchini, so yumm! And yet another cucumber. Garden wise, we get about 2 grown zucchini each day, so I can tell in about a month's time we may be a bit sick of it. But for now, we are loving it. If we get tired of tempura...or steamed and other ways. We could always start baking zucchini bread I gather. ; ) But for now, we are still enjoying them. And cucumbers...there are about 10 full grown cucumbers on the plant as we speak. @_@ So glad we only have 1 cucumber plant! ; )
Branden helped Noboru with the yard work on Monday morning. The weather as you can see by the pic was beautiful. The grass is getting so green.
The laundry seems to dry up in a jiff these days.
Yay go Branden go! He really is such a helpful kid you guys. ; ) And now you guys are nearly caught up with us......Well, almost. : ) Have a good night everyone! : )
Picked a case of the cheapest bottle water. Did my shopping as fast as I could but it's a bit weird when you're shopping in a different store not really certain of the store layout. This Cainz had much higher prices then our Cainz that's closer to our house, hmm. Then we headed to Hanamasa. The meat store.
They had very cheap 100% lean beef. Which is no big deal if you're living in the US, but trying to find lean ground beef in Japan can sometimes be quite a challenge. @_@. And their prices on whole chickens. Very cheap, so cheap in fact...think I'll have to add Hanamasa as one of my regular stores to shop at. Before now, I would come in here once a year maybe? But honestly...their prices on whole chicken alone is reason enough for me to swing by here once a month at least. And am *loving* their lean ground beef.
Their prices on cheese at Hanamasa, I thought weren't really all that cheap. I've seen cheaper at Joyful Honda. Or Costco. But they're mainly a meat shop anyways and their meat is fantastic.
And then we went to Toys r us, in Tomisato. Noah could pick what he wanted from grandpa at his request. I was surprised how well thought out his choices were, it actually really surprised me. When Noah was way younger he would see everything and like it, so quite often I had to jump in and "help" with the decision making process. But this time around, as we walked in the store... the obento goods were right near the entrance and Noah rushed to the Pokemon obento goods first thing. Noah said...I'd really like some Pokemon obento goods. I asked him, why? Noah said, because I love Pokemon and everyone has Pokemon obento stuff and my obento stuff was Branden's. I would love some Pokemon stuff. And he said..."my ensoku thermos was Branden's old Thomas one" I thought...hmm. Very logical reasons. Very valid reasons no doubt. And yes he does love Pokemon. Sounds very rational. So, yes. I think you should get those if you want. And so, I stood by and watched him decided which Pokemon cup he wanted, which fork, spoon and ohashi set he wanted. So many choices and he spent quite a while making his choices. He really has grown up, I thought as I watched Noah choose. The thermos, he picked a very nice yellow and blue Pokemon thermos, it's metal inside so it'll stay cold...keep Noah's drink cold for the whole ensoku I imagine. Noah then picked 1 new lunch mat (orange Pokemon) and 1 handkerchief (Mario)
If you're a parent you may know, Toy Story 3 is coming out for us in Japan, July 10th, so really soon. Noah picked this laser gun. Just makes cool noises and lights up, but he loves it. ; )
Noah picked 2 beyblades and he still had half of the money from grandpa left. And I asked Noah, want anything else? And I am seriously not kidding you. Noah said..."nah, I have enough, I don't need anything else, don't wanna be greedy" A little surprised by the answer. But couldn't be prouder of the answer though either.
Hi Noah! : )
Okay these next 3 pics are way out of order, whoops. Anyway more things are coming in for Noah. From California. From Denver, Guam and Osaka and Narita (uncle Jun; )
The 2 pairs of jammies for Noah, 1 pair for B (technically not his Bday but they were on sale) And the raincoat for Noah was a total flop. Had to send it back.
The color online was a light bright yellow. The color of the actual real irl rain coat. an odd dark weird shade of yellow. A very unattractive color. So much so, I could not let my little boy wear this ugly color. So, I sent it right back for a refund. I wouldn't go as far as to say...false advertising but I will give them the benefit of the doubt and just say....they need a more accurate picture and leave it at that!!! Grrr! And for what it's worth this picture of it right now, even this makes the color not look so bad! The real color of it was VERY odd looking.
After leaving Toys r us by now we're starved and no way are we gonna go home and cook. It'd be too late by that time. So, we went to Saizeriya instead. Noboru had the squid pizza and a big salad.
I had a small order of pasta and half cheese pizza. Branden had 1 and a half pizzas. And Noah had 1 whole pizza. We all had the drink bar and then headed home.
What did we bring home? From Hanamasa, we picked up 2 whole chickens. They were marked down, which was fine because I was going to throw them in the freezer anyway. So a day difference didn't matter to me at all, and it saved me like 200-300 some odd yen. So very happy I got 2 big whole chickens for under 1000 yen total.
Very lean 100% ground beef. I see cheeseburgers or hamburg in our future.
Some body wash and I was about to run out of obento cup thingys, so picked up 1 pack. Plus Noah's going to be going on Summer break soon, so these should last us. Add a whole weeks groceries, veggies, fruits etc. And we had brought a small styrofoam cooler in the MPV with us to keep the meats in.
The morning, that I had to make Branden that breakfast obento. I woke up at 5:30am, as usual. Checked email but no chance to internet surf for me that morning. It was straight to the kitchen for me and started in on breakfast.
Getting things all sorted. Let's see, what did I make that morning and what was I trying to get all situated. Skillet fried potatoes, cheese omelet, crispy bacon, an english muffin, and a slice of watermelon. Some fresh fruit in the mornings is always nice, I thought. ; )
Was going to do little obento cup/type containers in here but decided for this case it was smarter to use the bigger silver obento cup instead. So that's what I did.
And there it was. The bacon was so long, I had to just break it a bit so that it would fit diagonally on both side of the obento. So again, omelet, skillet fried potatoes, bacon, toasted english muffin with a mini Philly cream cheese and a mini strawberry jam if needed. And a little wedge of fresh watermelon and a box of orange juice.
Yumm. ; ) When Branden got home, he said his class thought his obento was so cool. They apparently all ohhed and ahhed over it, including the teacher. Goodness, so what did everyone else bring for breakfast I said. Everyone brought onigiri. Except 1 girl brought spaghetti for breakfast. I had told B, if I had known everyone else was just going to send onigiri I could have done that too. However I didn't know, plus my kids prefer the breakfast I make anyway. And this is what we eat for breakfast. And they did say..."breakfast obento" so. Ahh well. And it came back empty empty empty.
Here's an update on our garden. We at the start had 2 bell pepper plants. And if you can see in this picture, there is indeed 2 plants here. Except 1 is dead and 1 is alive. :( The kids while playing soccer had accidentally kicked the ball onto the bell pepper plant. So 1 is okay and 1 is not with us any longer. R.I.P. little bell pepper plant! : (
Also if you can see my bell pepper pic close up. I don't have any bell peppers on here. Not even itty bitty ones! Jogo-san's veggies were light years ahead of mine... development wise. Perhaps I planted these too late? I don't know. We will see. I'll keep you updated though.
The tomato plant on the other hand is really doing well, he's huge.
Look at all these baby tomatoes! I'm doing a little happy dance because I feel like we're doing the right things regarding the tomatoes. Knock on wood. I hope the tomatoes keep growing and start to turn red. : )
Little frog taking a snooze on one of the veggie plants.
The zucchini is also flourishing! He's really stretching out and growing by leaps and bounds. Hmm, wish I could say the same about our bell peppers.
We're getting lots of zucchini on both plants. The zucchini are really growing fantastic this year.
The cucumber plant is doing great as well. he's gotten so big and has many little cucumbers sprouting all over.
And a few huge ones as well. I think in the background you can see the smaller ones too. So if I were to grade myselfon the gardening so far. I would say we get an A plus for the zucchini, the tomatoes and the cucumbers. The verdict is still out on the bell peppers. Come on bell peppers get with the program! ; )
The corn is growing well. Except the ones I was growing myself, they died. @_@ Hmmm. All of Noboru's corn is growing well and big. And all my corn fell flat and bit the dust. : ( So we're all in all doing okay regarding our gardening. We're still learning. And we're definitely getting there.
The first cucumber. Noboru doesn't care for cucumber so he let me eat it.
I gave it a good cleaning/rinsing. And peeled it and ate it with a sprinkling of salt. So good. The stuff you grow on your own and then get to eat. The feeling is 10 fold isn't it? A feeling of accomplishment and a job well done for sure.
On Wednesday of last week, after I dropped off both Branden and Noah to both their schools. I went to the place in my town to get the ladies cancer check (s). The bus on the far left is the pap smear bus. The bus is the middle is for older ladies, 40 and over to get actual mammograms. And the yellow and green bus is for us younger ladies who still get a breast check but the ultra sound type instead. So, I went into the building. With my form they sent to the house. Me, my Oprah book and my towel went and checked in. I gave them the form and they gave me a paper and I waited for my name to be called. Me and about 20 ladies sat on a few benches. I didn't recognize anyone in this cluster of ladies. Which was fine, I opened up my book and read a few pages before they called my name. Mrs...so and so-san. Oh yes, that's me. So, I went into the next room and filled out a questionnaire. When was your last period. Has anyone ever had ovarian cancer, checked no. Has anyone in your family ever had breast cancer? Checked yes. Whom? My mother. Kept filling out the questionnaire and then they called me yet again. I gave her the questionnaire and she took my blood pressure. She said it was normal. Then I went to another station. And they gave me my #. And talk about complicated enough...just by doing this all in Japanese, but now with the # thing, that was a bit complicated. If you're # is odd you will go through the red door and if you're # is even you'll go through a blue door. On the bus.@_@ Ummm okay, I thought. Looked at my number. And made my way onto the bus. But took my shoes off before entering the bus. The pap smear bus I really dislike. And it's not because of the actual pap smear itself at all. I dislike it because it is so loud in there. Hmm. Let me back track. So, I enter the pap smear bus and me and about 3 ladies are undressing from the waist down all in the same room. We then wrapped towels around our bodies from the waste down. That part was okay. I don't mind dressing or undressing in front of people. So then I went into the red door. And from the second I entered, it was so tense. And it's not just me because I'm a foreigner. I can hear the nurses and doctors with the others too, they are tense with everyone. So, I entered and they told me, put your feet in the stir ups. Okay so I did. Then there's about 3 ladies bottoms (from the waist down nurses all dressed obviously) I can see, because my face is covered by a sheet divider. So they don't see my face and I don't see theirs either. Anyway, I hear...scoot your butt down, more, a little more, open your legs, a little wider, okay a little wider Stay still, don't move! Hmm didn't think I moved a single dot but okay. All the while saying these things in a very frenzied chaotic sorta speaking. Definitely not a relaxed type atmosphere I got in the US. So, they're still giving commands. And then, it's over one says, yes yes it's over.. the other one concurs. Yes over.. the 3rd lady said. You can get off now, yes.. you get down off the seat. What the main one says the others say too, sort of like a lame echo, lol. Anyway...was glad to get that out of the way. Felt sorta slimy down there after that. Sorry TMI. And then I went into the main hall yet again. And there I saw, Kouiki-kun's mom also waiting. Goodness, I thought she had just probably also went through that rough pap smear thing I just went through. Well bright side we're both concerned at least and came for the tests. Yeah good us, I thought. : ) I smiled and gave her a Japanese type head nod, she head nodded me back. ; ) And I sat. The older ladies the over 40's had to hold their papers. They had different colored papers from us under 40's. We had to give our forms to the lady. After waiting a while. Kouiki-kun's mom went into the under 40 bus. And I waited about 12 minutes, she left and then they called me next. I entered the bus. And it was a completely different feel then the pap smear bus. This bus was quiet serene and calming. Not zen or anything don't get me wrong, it was a test I know that. But for instance there was music playing. And we all had private dressing rooms in here, so we weren't all thrown into 1 awkward room like on the pap smear bus is. When I entered my private changing area, the Eurythmics, Sweet dreams was playing. As I undressed, I wondered to myself. Is this the video where Annie Lennox wore that man's suit and had the red dyed hair? Or was it another video/song? See, I could actually have time to collect my thoughts in this bus. As I was slipping off my bra and about to wrap a towel around the top half of myself. Spandeu ballet came on, True. I hadn't heard that song in ages. I found myself quietly going..."lalalala la, I know THIS much is TRUE. ; ) I know I know I know this much is true." LOL. It was very quiet. The lady opened my room and brought me into the ultra sound room. She told me to lay down on the bed, put my basket which held my clothes under the bed. And to just lay down and relax. The room was dark the only thing illuminated was her machine. Her ultra sound machine. I laid down. And another 80's flashback hit played. And she did one breast. And then another. This was the same lady who did this to me last year. I recognized her face, and her shoulder length bobbed hair and I knew she remembered me too. : ) I felt really relaxed being in here. Much better then that chaotic pap smear bus. That pap smear bus..really needs to work on their people skills, honestly. ; ) When she went to the next breast, is when Madonna's Borderline played. She plays good music I thought. : ) She and I chit chatted a bit during this. I had confided in her, "you know my mother had breast cancer you know" She replied very softly. While 80's music quietly buzzed in the background. "Yes I know, she said, it's been on your forms since last year, I always double check yours" Huge sigh of relief. Oh thank you, I told her. She gets me. I thought. I'm so blessed. Then she said...you must be a little nervous. "Yes, I am a little", I told her. Then silence....."But I think I'm in good hands" I replied. She shook her head. And then it was over.
And I went into the little changing rooms that are for after the test is done. Behind this curtain.
Yep, the test was done.
And I wiped all that warm gel stuff off my breasts afterwards with the wet tissues and then dried them off with the tissues. Got dressed and handed the lady at the start, my paper that I had completed all of the tests, and she..."have a good day-ed me" and I told her the same. And into my car and home I went.
Which now brings me to Thursday. After the boys were off to school, we made it to our movie. Sex and the City 2.
We each got a popcorn and drink. Went in and sat down. It was an excellent movie. So much happeneing in the 2nd SATC. We went to the store aftwards and picked up some steaks. Steaks and baked potato and a simple goma salad Thursday evening. Then I checked my email. And this is sort of very serious you guys and believe you me. I debated even blogging this or just keeping quiet about it, so please understand what a big deal this is for me to be able to share this, it took a lot for me to share this with you all.You all know how important my dad is to me. Anyway, I got an email from my dad last Thursday around 3:30pm. He said he wasn't feeling really well. He had been having heart pains all day and it felt like a 1000 needles stabbing his heart. From the second I read this.....everything on my mind. What I did that week. What I had to do Friday (games meeting). Everything seemed so small and not to matter at all anymore. My dad...god how do I even talk about my dad. The love I have for my dad. When my parents divorced, I felt so torn, who do I live with? I love them both, as I should. But when it came down to it. I had to be with my dad. I can look at my dad's face and know instantly what he's thinking. Without even a single........word. I called my dad immediately. My dad is lucky in that 95% of his dear friends in Guam are doctors. Yes, actual medical professionals. He golfs with them and goes to the same congregation as he does and some also live in the same condo plex my dad does. So, my dad went and got checked and my dad's blood pressure was 180! Which is not just high, it's flat out scary high. The doctor gave my dad new medication. And my stubborn dad went home. He is now fine. But this gave me an absolute scare. Gave my dad an absolute scare as well. As some of you know, he had, had a quadruple heart bypass the year before Noboru and I got married, the year we got engaged. My dad eats very little meat, he's practically a vegetarian, though he will eat meat on occasion... while we're there perhaps. He'll eat a burger once a week. Or a slab of ribs at Tony Romas when we're there. But maybe 1-2 times a week tops for my dad is when he conssumes meat. But yeah....this was so unbe..freaking unbelievably scary for me you guys. I got the worst sleep last Thursday night. Tossing and turning worrying about my dad. Friday morning, I knew I had that Summer festival meeting that morning. I told Noboru Friday morning...forget the summer festival...no offense. But my dad comes first. So, I called my dad after sending Branden to school last Friday morning. He said he was fine. Are you sure? Are you certain? You're not just lying trying to make me feel better are you??? Yes I asked all these questions. And more. ; ) I was wrecked. I checked the flight. I called my dad back even yet again. "Do you want me to fly to Guam today?" Because you say the word and I'm there. I'll go back and pick up Branden pull him from school. Not to worry a bit dad, I told him. "Gina...I'm really fine, stop worrying so much, YOU'RE going to have a heart attack!!!!" Okay well if you're sure. So, then I finished making Noah's lunch. Got my makeup on and got a dress on. And right before I left...I called my dad one last time. Are you sure dad, you don't want me to come? No, honey I am quite alright. Please Gina don't worry so much. Go to the school, I know what you have today. Okay well if you're sure.....so one more time are you sure? Good bye Gina honey, please don't worry so much. 
This is the room upstairs where we worked last Friday morning at the yochien. I'm glad I worked so hard. I definitely did my fair share for the Summer festival that's for darned sure. I went to all the games meetings we had. And I'll be there the day before the Summer festival to help set up as well. Second week in a row I haven't gone to lunch with my friends at the yochien. : ( But in my defense though, after the games meeting last Friday, all I could think about was getting home and calling my dad to see if he was okay. I got home and sure enugh called my dad the second I got home. Dad!!! Are you okay?! I'm completely fine. I was just taking a nap until you called me. Whoops okay sorry dad....yes you should rest. Sorry please get some sleep. Wanting to call my dad back again. Going absolutely bonkers with worry over here yet not wanting to be a complete pest either. So, I waited. Until he emailed. Yippy. He emailed me. A 3 sentence one. I'm feeling fine...going to run to the store to get some veggies and fruit, I'll email you later. As soon as I got that email. I called my dad. @_@ "Gina! I was just on the way out the door!" Yes, dad I know....I got your email. But.....are you sure you should be mobile? Gina! Yes, okay dad, sorry. I'll hang up now. ; ) 
Posts
