Here's what we brought back from vacation, if you're interested. I know a lot of you are. And if you're not, no big deal at all, then I suggest you skip this post altogether! We brought back about half of what we usually do.
Each big bag of cereal is 2lbs. So quite big indeed. I priced them all over Guam, from Cost u less, to Payless grocery store, to Kmart. And I can tell you.... The cheapest huge bags of cereal are at Kmart. Payless they were $5.50 or so. Cost u less had them for $5-7 bucks same size and they were only about about $3 bucks at Kmart, so way way way cheaper to buy them at Kmart. A few bucks saved is still a FEW bucks saved.
For the kids, we got them three of the big 2 pound bags of the generic cereal. But the flavor is just the same. So basically, we have "Apple Jacks" "Cocoa Puffs" And "Lucky Charms". I love Apple Jacks myself. Noboru likes the Honey bunches with strawberries.
Taco shells if I buy them at my local Cainz Home are about 450 yen each box! And we always need 2 boxes, so about $9 bucks just for the shells. So yeah taco making in Japan can get quite expensive, which is a bummer. And I usually just do that (buy at Cainz) since we have no other option. However this, time, I found the Payless Store brand shells, generics but who cares. $1.39 a pack. We bought 2 packs and felt happy we could save on the taco shells. Parmesan cheese, in Japan unless you get it at Costco. Comes in a teeny tiny bottle. And it's expensive. We usually buy it granted because that's our only option really. When we saw this one, it was about the same price that we'd pay for a teeny tiny one in Japan. And with Costco so far from where we live, for us it was just a better buy for us to get in Guam this time. And with all the homemade pizza I make at home, and pasta dishes. We could really use it. 2 cans of ravioli for the boys for a lunch on a Saturday or something. Branden wanted me to get him the case of the Chef Boyardee ones at Cost u less and they were affordable *but* the problem is plain and simple....the weight of the suitcase. We worried we'd go over the weight allowed, so we didn't buy a case of them, but a compromise was made and we got 2 cans of a store brand kind. And a can of salsa for the tacos we'll be having. It's 89 cents or $1.19 so it's cheap. So it was a good deal. We love tostadas at our house and I hate canned beans. So, we make our own beans. Just boil and refry it's easy. Couldn't believe it when they had this 4lb bag of pinto beans at Cost u less for $1.49 a bag. Another good deal.
Italian breadcrumbs for when I make chicken parmesan. 2 boxes of brownie mix, one for us and one for a yochien mom friend. Miracle whip for sandwiches. And finally some minty chocolate cookies. If you've ever had the Girl Scout mint cookies. The thin mint ones. Yumm, right? And then they sold the Andes brand ones too. But these were store brand. And they do taste the same. Not all store brand stuff tastes the same. And I'd be the first to say it. But these actually do.
Antibacterial handsoap. For the downstairs and the upstairs. Toothpaste obviously. And some Dove lemon soap, omg! This smells so amazing. And an extra Dove deodorant in the same scent. I already have 3 extras of these still stock piled in the linen closet upstairs, same scent.
So, we go to Cost u less the day we arrived, right? We wanted to buy 3 huge canisters of the lemonade, the yellow kind. They did not have any!!!! @_@ Why does this always happen? Seriously? Sure they have another Cost u less in Guam besides this one, but who wants to drive all that way? Also we knew we'd be there only 3 short days, not 30! Times limited. Our next days plan was to swim and go to a movie, we didn't wanna make tracking down yellow lemonade our life's goal! LOL, kwim? So, we said, forget it. They have the pink lemonade...it tastes the same except it's pink. So what! Let's do that. Let's get it. We all agreed. And so that's what we did. We bought 3 humongous canisters of pink lemonade. And this part I don't have to add, but I'm just being honest so I'll share it. So...after we left Cost u less, we headed to Payless grocery store, right? And would you guess what we saw??? The same exact size but of the yellow lemonade! *sigh* isn't that just always the case though? Sure we could have exchanged it and yada yada, killed more time. But we didn't buy the yellow lemonade. It's alright. The pink lemonade is perfect and fine. Anyway...that is the story of the pink lemonade. ; ) What did I learn from this? I learned that Payless has the huge sizes of yellow lemonade too. And that fact I will not forget. Ha ha ha. Oh well, I learned something new that day! ; )
5 lbs each huge container. Seriously the pic doesn't do these justice these are downright monster sized. So with buying 3, we now have 15 lbs...pounds of pink lemonade. That is a lot, seriously it is. And next time...ehhh I'll be sure to pick up the regular lemonade. ; )
A case of movie theater popcorn. When I saw this at the Flying Pig, how expensive this was, I nearly fainted. They truly inflate prices. : ( This was over half cheaper buying myself. Granted not always an option for everyone and I know that. : ( And for that I'm truly sorry. : ( A 3 pack of gum for me. I like to keep a pack in my purse and a magnet for the fridge. The Croc magnet made me smile. : ) It's now hanging on the fridge.
Tabloids. I love to read them.
This is proof. So, I went to Blockbuster, there's a couple in Guam. Anyway I wanted 2 movies. Precious and The Lovely Bones. They did not have Precious. But they had a used Lovely Bones. I don't mind used dvd's at all. Gee, the dvd's we rent from Tsutaya other people touch and handle and we're fine with it. We have no phobias or snobbery about buying used at all. Again if it saves a few bucks, so be it. It's a smart buy. Anyway the guy at the counter tells me. If you buy this one it's $14.99 but if you buy 3 used ones, all 3 would be $20.00. Aha, I remembered that deal last time. Okay...I said. That's a way better deal, I'll do that and thanks. So, I exited the line and picked 2 other movies. You can see the bill and it says...total amount due $20. 3 dvd's for $20...an awesome deal honestly! 1 NEW Lovely Bones would have been more then the 3 used ones. Dykwim? I'd do it again in a heart beat! In fact next time I go to Guam I will be going to Blockbuster to try and score 3 more dvd's for $20.
We saw Avatar already at the movies in December 2009 in Guam. And it was frankly *so* long. However Branden really wanted it, so I picked that one. "Did You Hear About the Morgan's?" with Hugh Grant and (Carrie) Sarah Jessica Parker. The Lovely Bones. And Precious, I got at Kmart. $20 something bucks for Precious (a new DVD). Wish they would have had it used. : (
Precious is supposed to be a very intense movie. It was nominated and won a lot of awards. I have yet to see it, but I heard it's about Precious and she has a very abusive mother, etc. Like the box says..."Best picture of 2009" So, I wanted to see this. I think I'll need some tissues to watch this one. : (
I spoke about this book on my blog, last month? Was it last month? Anyway it was a while back. I heard about this new book coming out. It's the unauthorised book about Oprah Winfrey. I have been dying to get my hands on this and read it. Guam has quite a few fantastic book stores. I went to the one at Micronesia Mall and picked this up. Right after we saw Shrek actually and before we went to Vitales for dinner. I plan to read this or start reading it, this coming Monday.
Picked up some foundation from MAC cosmetics.
My favorite powder foundation has been studio fix and will always be studio fix. Have used this since I was in high school. For using this way way over 10 plus years. It's never made me breakout, I love the coverage. I bought a liquid kind this time too. Haven't tried it yet. But the studio fix, I love it and probably always will.
Here's the funny thing. I have been an NC20 since I first started using MAC. It's the 2nd lightest shade of foundation. NC20. I know that color like the back of my hand. So anyway, the day I went to the DFS and picked up my foundation. I went swimming earlier that day and showered beforehand, so I was wearing no makeup when I went to the counter. Anyway, I said..."hi, I'd like to get a studio fix in NC20 please" An easy peasy purchase, have done this purchase 100 times before. It's a no brainer. And then...the very nice lady. She says..."you know, you look like an NC15, to me. Can I try then both on you and you can see?" Wasn't expecting my color of foundation to change, though I'm sure it's common, it happens. People gets tans or people perhaps fade out. So, I gather switching foundation colors is common. But...I haven't ever changed in all these years, so yeah, it sort of took me a bit off guard. But I said..."sure go ahead" I mean...I don't wanna wear the wrong shade either you know. So, she put a swipe on one side and a swipe on the other. And I'll be darned. What changed? I don't know. But, an NC15 shade is what I am now. Thanks to the very wonderful helpful makeup lady at the DFS. She rocked btw! I will definitely go back there in the future. Perhaps I should get tested without makeup from now on, lol. Err maybe not. Anyway, sorry to bore you with my mundane makeup counter story. So now I am the lightest shade of MAC. Yikes. Ha ha ha.
Noah's big birthday gift from us this year. Branden had the original DS. Then he got a DS lite. However, poor Noah. Being the youngest, he got Branden's old clunky DS game. The thing wasn't even a lite. Ha ha ha. And it finally broke, he's been without a DS for 2 month's now. And he's not complained or anything, he's very kind hearted that way. But we together made the decision, to get him a brand new one of his own. The DS lite, the DS i, and the DS XL (U.S. name) LL Japanese name. The prices were so close, barely a $20 difference to get the newest XL one. However, Noah's quite young and the larger game could be harder and heavier to handle for him, we thought. And the DSi, is okay but the camera feature Noah wouldn't really have a need for, also the DS lite plays 2 types of games so that was the clincher for us where as the DSi only plays the 1 type of card game. So even though the prices were all relatively very close in price we decided to get a brand new DSlite, versus the DSi or XL. We also got him a nerf cover/armor. Especially being 4 and soon to be 5, if he drops it... it will cushion it with that Nerf football soft stuff. He is going to LOVE it. He has no idea at all he has one. Noboru took him to the little play area at the mall, with the dragon and roller coaster while I went to the game shop to pick it up. He's going to be so jazzed to get it!!! : )
I love this Nerf cover it's perfect for a young soon to be 5 year old. Especially if it gets dropped. ; ) Though he's pretty careful but still taking some precaution here. ; ) ; )
Noah also is getting a bigger sized pair of yellow Crocs for his birthday. Branden needed some too. I'll give Branden his on Noah's birthday too. ; ) I hid them away. I just got the next size up for each of the boys. Hmm, this reminds me, I need to start shopping for some wrapping paper soon.
Noboru's automated water sprinkling system for the flower baskets on the front porch. You know those really are some very spoiled flowers! Ha ha ha. : ) They came to a good home. They will be well taken care of here. ; )
When you fly... do you ever flip through those duty free catalog's in the airplane? I always do. I think I have only bought something on there like twice before in my life. So rarely rarely ever do we make purchases on there. But I still like to flip through the pages at least. ; ) Anyway I saw this watch. What I liked about it is that it actually doesn't even look like a watch at all. That's what I actually liked the most. The fact that it looked like a rubbery black bracelet basically. To me it sorta looked really cute in the fact it looked so simple, dykwim? I dug that. And at only $25. Hmm. I debated it. "I couldn't...I shouldn't...should I?" I saw the stars who also dig it as much as I do.....
Kirsten Dunst, Ashlee Simpson, Fergie, etc. See, it wasn't only just me...they also thought it was cool too. It was so simple, so basic and understated. I badly badly wanted it. And the flight landed and I did not get it.
Until the flight back....I flipped through the same magazine. And there it was staring me in the face yet again. And there I was yet again debating in my head yet again. "should I, or shouldn't I?" And who is wearing this watch again? Kirsten Dunst, and Fergie did they say? Was I staring at the magazine too long? I didn't think I was, but Noboru just bought me the watch. ; )Anyway....I'm glad I got the watch. Got it in my usual size of M (medium).
I have a post office box in Guam you know. And for the most part, I now get my mail forwarded to me here in Japan. However since I was there anyway, I was able to pick up my mail actually in person. I had a GAP and Old Navy order waiting for me.
With the 4th of July approaching, I had to make sure my 2 little American boys had their American Flag Old Navy tees. At only $5.00 quite a bargain. Loved the Gap shirt with a big slice of pizza on it for $8 bucks it was a good deal too. 1 hat for each B and Noah. That's it for them.
Cute tops.
And 3 sweaters for me. That Gap gray one. I *love* it. I bought the same one but in black a while back, they're the 3/4 length sleeve summer weight cardi's from Gap. They fit so good. Glad I now have the one in black and now this one in gray. And the other 2 sweaters are striped in very cute colors. Very vibrant colors. They're so in for right now.
Those colors on those summery striped cardi's are fab. I can't wait to wear them. I wanna wear the pink and orange one with a slim fit white tee, and a pair of short length khaki/tan shorts and some Jcrew leather brown sandals. Very preppy, very fair skin and a long dark brown pony tail. Great for summer. The blue and turqoiuse one with a white tee and some jean short length shorts and maybe some different flippies and a pony tail or hair straight down. Just very casual but nice still. Great to go to the movies with my friends or out to lunch in. The gray cardi I will wear with my 4 different black summery dresses. And my black Roxy flippies. My new breo watch and a pony tail. Very simple. Not all overly fancy. Not fancy at all. Just basic normal mom wear. Ha ha ha. ; )
And a big kids size of aviator shades for Branden. Anyway...that's what we brought back from Guam this trip! : )
How's our week been going? It's been going pretty fantastic. The weather's been great. Both Branden and Noah are doing amazing! The weather has been so nice. Nothing really hugely major going on right now. The grass is turning greener, I'd say it's about 40% green right now, so it's not all there yet but it is getting there. A few pics from after school this week, the kids were playing dodgeball in the backyard!
Get him Noah, tag him out! ; )
Yay go Branden!
Playing with dad, oh so important! ; )
Noah just about to do a cartwheel in this pic! : )
Branden being silly! Kids are supposed to be silly! : )
What else.... I made some green chili enchiladas this week.
They came out pretty good.
They came out really good actually. We definitely like to mix things up at our house. Eat different types of foods and everything.
Every other Wednesday is onigiri day at the yochien. There's also a money box that the school collects and sends to those less fortunate. I think you can see the corner of the contribution box in this pic.
Another meal we had during the week. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing and crescent rolls.
The last 2 May dvd's got here. We watched "Imagine That" last night with the kids. It was Friday and a perfect way to start the weekend. It was a great movie for kids. Both the boys really liked it and had quite a few laugh out loud moments. I really enjoyed it too. Tonight the hubby and I will be watching Dance Flick.
What else... I picked up the snacks for the boy's for the flight to Guam already. And yesterday, I packed both Branden's and Noah's carry-on. They carry their own clothes, swimsuit etc in their own backpacks. It's nice that they are at the age to be able to do that for a "couple night's" type trip. I recall when they were little I would be in charge of toting everything. Sorta felt like a pack mule at times. Ha ha ha. : ) But for just a couple days type trip, they can carry their own stuff. And I also carry my own clothes in my own carry on, swim suit too. Noboru also brings his own stuff in his own carry-on as well. The hotel reservations have already been made. Can't wait to jump on that big fluffy bed. I looked at the movie schedule at the Guam movie theaters yesterday online and so many things are playing. The remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" is playing (out of the question obviously but will rent this for the hubby and I, when it comes out in a billion years ; ) How to Train Your Dragon is out and it's a kids movie. However The *last* Shrek movie just came out yesterday in Guam and I saw the previews online for it and it looks fantastic so I spoke to Noboru about it, so we will more then likely take both Branden and Noah to see Shrek while there. 
Monday morning, the weather was beautiful. The weekend had totally recharged my batteries and I was ready for the week to start! So Monday morning, after making the boys breakfast, driving Branden to school, then me racing home, making Noah's obento, getting him dressed and driven to school as well. A quick unload of the dishwasher, got a fresh load of towels hung outside. Vacuumed the downstairs and the upstairs. Swooshed both toilets. It was nearing 11am. So, I grabbed my keitei/cell, my ipod and ear buds, my Nike trainers and off I went. I've been walking around my town, once a week for the past 5-6 weeks. I only walk my town once a week because if I did it more, I know me, I'd quickly bore of it. So, once a week through the town I go. And sure 3 other days a week, I do treadmill at home. And once a week, I do my Jillian Michael's dvd. So 5 days of something and 2 days of nothing (exercise wise: ) It's enough.
I took the route the kids in our area if they walk, what their walk to school would be like. So, I left our housing community. Went down a hill and turned left. ; ) And this road awaited me. As you can see by the nonexistent traffic. It's a very quiet road. Lots of rice fields.
There's also quite a few greenhouses with roses in them.
See? Really pretty right? ; )
Very nice big wide sidewalks the whole entire route. Again traffic nowhere in sight. Although I did see a very slow rice mobile go past me at rather snail like speeds!!! Ha ha ha.
So beautiful and green. So quiet and serene. The fresh air and clear blue sky.
Sounds of trickling water you can hear (seriously, no joke). And it's because of this. It's the water going from field to field, so you can always hear a light water trickling and frogs croaking. It sounds so lovely.
Aha, I finally reached the school. How many steps? 3872! Multiply times 2 and you get how many steps the few kids of our area walk, though most get rides. : )
This tree had some beautiful flowers on it. I'm not really quite sure the name of this tree but I tell you, it smelled great. I even stopped, took notice, smelled a branch of it, breathed in. Went, ahhhhh! ; ) And then had to take a pic. I did not take a single rest, other then smelling the tree, I turned right around and walked straight home.
Lots of bamboo.
Up the hill and then voila! I see the name of my housing community just as I enter. And now I am close to home! I love our housing community. Tennis courts, private doctors office inside said housing community, community activity house where people who live here could throw parties or take hula lessons, etc. It's a beautiful place to live. Very modern and nice big wide sidewalks, many benches and parks throughout, bicycle paths and ped paths everywhere, lots of trees and greenery. Our housing community rocks.
Flowers still getting sun. I feel so great having just went for a very long walk. Feeling good. I went and pulled our clean dry towels off the back fence, folded them all up. Emailed my dad and a couple friends. Had a nice tall glass of water and went and enjoyed my day. It was noon, I had to pick up Noah at 1pm. So, I spent a nice hour on the couch, just relaxing. Enjoying my free time. I got everything done first/beforehand. I even got my exercise outta the way. I earned that hour of free lazy time, ha ha ha. And so I channel surfed.
7966 steps is what I walked from my little walk through town and to get my towels from the backyard. :P
After picking up both Branden and Noah from school. I threw the chicken leg quarters in the oven. Made the rice. Started a salad, just a very simple lettuce and tomato one with goma dressing.
Very nice chicken leg quarters. The sauce was so good! And the skin was so crispy.
Sorry the salads we ate while waiting. Gomen gomen. Dinner, marinated chicken leg quarters, rice, veggie and a small simple goma salad. Dinner clean up was easy, threw the dishes in the dish washer. And Noboru took a shower with both the boys. I could even hear them from downstairs. They must've been having a grand ol' time up there. All carrying on... the way they were. : ) I showered after.
My steps before my shower. So I imagine in reality I did clock even more steps then this. But 11,236 steps is fantastic!!! And if you are at all curious, just as an info share type thing. 10,000 steps is the equivalent of walking 5 miles!!!! Click 
The second season of "16 and pregnant" started for us in Japan on MTV. New girls this season, new stories. This mom here not too pleased with her daughters boyfriend. Not at all.
Her due date grew closer. The mother told the daughter, she thinks the guy will not be in the picture very long.
She had her baby. This is a picture of her boyfriend. Sadly to say, her mother must have known something we didn't. : ( That hopistal visit was the last time the boyfriend ever saw Janelle again or their baby. Didn't contribute 1 single red cent to the baby either. Janelle had quite an adjustment to motherhood. She said the same thing the girls in the first season said. She said "motherhood is A LOT harder then she thought" I like this show because it's a very candid, very real, very honest look at reality, for a lot of teens out there now days. : ( 
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