Ever since the earthquake, at least once a week if not more, I get a question from someone asking where our family lives compared to the Fukushima power plant or what's the air like where we are. One of my cousin's even asked me, for my town name so he could look at it on google earth the other week. @_@ I know this comes from...just a lot of folks being honestly worried. And so I took this picture this morning from the Geiger counter, I check every morning that shows the readings of the radiation particles found in the air. Now if you live in Japan, you probably can figure this map out easy peasy. But for those of you not in Japan. I'll explain some. Now if you look at the bottom left area you'll see Yokohama on the left side of the bay and then on the other side of that bay it says Chiba. I do not live around those areas at all. We used to. Okay...so now look back at the picture up above and go towards the right you'll see 3 names...Narita...Sanmu and Katori. We live someplace (not gonna say exactly) but we live someplace between those areas. On the bright green countryside colored area on the map up above. Our area has been testing same as everywhere else and does daily readings but our air is so clean it isn't even registering. Why our air is coming out so clean, you know. I don't even question it anymore, I just am thankful it is, what it is. And breeze wise we seem to be located in a very good spot because nothing has gone our way (knock on wood it stays that way) and we do check daily. We check the Geiger counter every morning. So, anyway hopefully this will give my family a sigh of relief at least, reduce some of their worry and stress about us here.: ( But hopefully the visual up above will ease my family's worry even by a little. Hopefuly Tepco can get a better handle of the reactor soon and then everyone can breath a huge sigh of relief as well. 
Nope not even registering a thing down here. We don't live on the light green area but on the dark bright green area. Anyway, in other news. The city nearest us, they got their water turned back on last Wednesday. That was the happy talk last Wednesday during Noah's swim class. So that's a positive good thing. Also the roads in the city nearest us are now about 50% fixed, so while they're not totally done, they're really working hard to get things back to normal. Life is pretty much back to normal here in our part of Chiba. The cherry blossoms are blooming everywhere and me seeing them this year..... gives me hope. That Japan will recover and rebuild and be better then ever! 
Last Friday, I baked an apple crisp/apple crumble. 
It came out pretty good. I'm planning to bake one this Friday as well. 
Last Saturday we had family movie night. 
This Monday, after I sent both Branden and Noah to school. I ran to the laundry mat. I did everyone's bedding from our house. 
I was the only one in there. yep, just me, myself and I. 30 minutes for the wash and 8 minutes for the dryer. I read a magazine while I waited. 
Hmm, half day at Noah's school. He gets/got out at 11:40am. And I just threw the laundry into the dryer, glanced at the clock and realized. I was really pushing it.... time wise. After they dried, I went directly with blankets in the car and everything to the yochien. I was right on time. Phew. Took Noah to Mc D's afterwards for 1 shaka shaka chicken (100 yen) and 1 cheeseburger. He ate watching cartoons while I went upstairs and made the beds. I came down and boiled 2 eggs for myself and I had an egg salad sandwich for lunch. 
I haven't blogged about my healthier 2011 lately. Or weight loss. I've not stopped with the exercising at all. Have been going strong since January 10th is when I started Spark. I have lost a total of 13 pounds since January. I am in a few groups on there and spend a lot of my free time (if I get any) on Spark. One group I belong to, keeps track of their "fitness minutes" sort of compete against one another in the group, who logs more fitness minutes. We're all friends, so we are obviously actually not enemies or rivals, we're actually motivating each other. I was in 4th place when I took the picture a few dyas ago, at 465 fitness minutes for April. And right now, I have about 550, this pic was taken a day or so ago. 
Here it says I am ranked #4 for my group. So, it keeps me motivated a lot. And I actually feel happy waking up in the morning and see...OMG! So many of my friends worked out while I was asleep, they knocked me to 6th place! A couple of the girls will leave me an email or a PM (private message) saying....catch up! And so all day if I get bits of free time here and there, I will be treadmilling or Doing the Wii, or Jillian Michaels. and then by the time we're winding down here at night in Japan. I'll leave a little cheeky note saying....I caught up and passed ya! Now it's your turn. And so we sort of feed off each other and motivate each other in a positive way. Last night before I went to sleep I was in the #2 spot. But this morning I was knocked back to #4 again. ; ) Anyway...enough talk about that. Nutshell on that...my exercising is going great, my portions are doing great too. 
These are yummy. I've been on a yuzu eating kick lately. Noboru doesn't care for these so much. But I love these. They've been my 1 guilty pleasure. I'll find myself go to Yacs drugstore and get a pack or two once a week. 
At the first day of school. Noah brought home a sakura. Because now he is in the final year and the final class, the sakura (cherry blossom) class. 
These little things I am saving into Noah's yochien box. So he can see when he's older. : ) 
Friendship letters. Noah gets so many of these at yochien. Which means he is also writing many of these in return. @_@ Many trips to the Daiso for me, to buy paper sets for both the boys. The funny things is watching the progress of these letters. When they were red badges, they wrote mostly pictures and no words. Then last year they wrote crazy (just learning to write type words; ) And now this year, they all seem to write beautifully. I do save all these letters for him in his yochien box. Same as I saved Branden's. Though now Branden likes to keep his locked in his desk. ; ) 
Noah was selected to be one of the guardian angels yesterday (that's what it says on this paper) for today if he could show up early at school by 8:30am so he can help the new kids get adjusted at yochien. He's a sweet kid, Noah is. Very kind and very helpful. So anyway he will be doing that this morning. Only a handful of kids were chosen for the job. He was so proud being asked. And I recall when it was Noah who was the little one with a guardian angel a few years back. Anyway what else.....anything last minute to add or throw in here, hmmm. (thinking) Oh yes, I nearly forgot.....We are going to Osaka for the first few days of Golden Week this year. I am really excited. We haven't been to Osaka in a very long time (like years). I can barely wait to see Noboru's grandma (she is so fantastic and short and cute : ) And Noboru's father who as you know was in the hospital for many many years. Came out of the hospital and came home mid December. So, I can't wait to see him. I can't wait to see my SIL (sister in law) and my MIL. And my niece. So, we're all pretty excited. Our first thought was to fly, for us it's cheaper since Noboru works for an airline and we code share with other airlines etc. However how would we get around in Osaka once there? That was the issue for us and why we deicded to drive. Noboru wants to go to places where public transportation just doesn't work, like the middle of a mountain where his family graveyard is, for example. So he can pay his respects to his other grandmother (fathers side). Etc etc. So, we decided to drive. It'll be like we're the Griswald's and it's the movie Vacation! : ) Except we're going to Osaka and not Wallyworld! ; ) We will be staying 2 nights. We are staying at a hotel, since we have those free stay vouchers. 4 a year remember. And we didn't use 2 from last year so they are null in void. But we got 4 more starting in April, so this month for this year.... And Noboru doesn't want to lose these vouchers by not using them, so that's why we're staying at a hotel. that way it'll knock 2 nights off. And then we'll have 2 vouchers left for the year.
Other plans for Golden week....just staying home. A family BBQ no doubt. And just resting here at home.
Plans for this week? Just sending both the boys to school as usual. Kumon and swim club. Same ol' same ol' regarding all that. I cleaned the entire downstairs Sunday, even mopped the kitchen floor. Monday as you know I did the blanket washing for the bedrooms upstairs. And this week, in little bits here and there I am now trying to tidy up the upstairs. Wednesday/today we are planing a family BBQ. It was originally to be last Saturday but it rained so we have been delaying it and are looking forward to it today. And tomorrow, I have my driver license renewal class from 9:30am. @_@ Noboru went to this class 2 months ago and he said basically it's a lecture, and you do have to circle a few things in the pamphlet, also Noboru told me this....that 1 lady had her head down while the instructor was talking (cat nap perhaps, I don't know) and so the instructor told her...you aren't paying attention so just leave! The lady was shocked but he was serious and so he had her leave right then and there. Anyway, I'm glad Noboru warned/told me that though, and so I know tomorrow I will be paying 100% attention, I was planning on it anyway but now I'll make doubly sure. I'll be like @_@ the whole time. ; ) I won't take my eyes off the instructor at all. I will just follow him with my eyes, if he walks to the right of the class, my eyes will follow and if he walks to the left.... again my eyes will follow. lol. Anyway that's what Ill be doing tomorrow after I get Branden and Noah sent to school and obento made tomorrow morning. : )
You know, one phrase that I often heard growing up is, "children grow in a blink of an eye". Sure I heard it often but I never really understood the true meaning of it, until I was a mother myself and had kids of my own. It really does seem on some level Branden was just a babe yesterday. And Noah too. Don't get me wrong, I don't long for them to be tiny babies, and I am enjoying the age they are and all the tiny steps of independence they get as they grow older. And now...it seems like just the other day I was at the computer and writing about Noah's very first day as a yellow badge (pre-nensho). Then red badge and last years pink badge. Wow it's been quite a fun ride. ; ) On Wednesday of this week, a yochien meeting and then everyone were given a new packet/envelop with new badges inside. I knew the color that would be inside. I mean of course.... my older son went to this school too, I know the drill. However it still slightly took my breath away opening the envelop. To see those 2 blue badges. All brand new, smelling of brand new plastic. You know the smell. ; ) We made new name labels for the badges. And also washed all his school stuff. And put name labels on all of Noah's new crayons and wow he gets to use markers this year! How exciting. Last year they used only crayons. A marker milestone at the yochien! ; ) New name stickers on the glue and last minute whatnots. And he was ready. Noboru had the dates wrong. Noah's first day of school would be April 8th, so Friday, yesterday. 
Oh my lovely Noah. How ever did you get so big, so fast?! Bittersweet I tell you. So Friday morning, we were ready. Branden nicely sent to school first. All of Noah's things all nicely packed up in the gekan. All his school supplies etc. He had a ham and cheese omelet, a small scoop of rice and a slice of toast and a chocolate milk. It was just the start of the school year ceremony day. So he got off at 11:40am (for the blue badges/sakura class) 11:20 for the bargumi and 11:30 for the yurigumi (what Noah used to be). I took him to school. Same sensei as the red badge year, and pink badge year (nensho and nenchu). The Yayoi (sp?) sensei/ We love her! And I think the feelings mutual. ; ) Remember the cupcakes I gave her the same ones from the school bazaar bake sale. ; ) So yeah we're happy she's going to be the final yochien sensei for Noah. 
An update on us. The day after we got back. I had to go to the police station. My license needs renewing and since I've never had a ticket, I just needed to take an eye exam and fill out a form at the police station in the city Noah's yochien is in. So, I did that and I now have a drivers ed class to take mid April some time. What else. Branden needed to get new glasses his old ones looked like they were getting a bit too small. Also, do you recall how Noboru took big hunks of grass off the back yard? How when I was hanging clothes I nearly tripped fell and killed myself because of those lovely missing grass areas. Well he said since Spring has Sprung. He wanted to get some sod/grass. So, we went to the local DIY. The one with the horrible crack in the base structure of the building. Anyway it was being sold for 50 yen each pack. @_@ Why? I asked the lady. She said, because the city doesn't have water yet still and the grass is basically dying. So instead of just throwing it away...if they can sell it to someone who can take care of it. That would be best. I said...wow sounds like a sad way to buy grass...I don't think we should. I scrunched my face looking at Noboru asking what he thought. She interrupted and said just one more time....if it doesn't get bought it will be thrown away. Hmmm. Fair enough. So we bought it. And will promise to give it a good home. Weird way to end up with grass, I know. But yeah that's the story. 
We took it home. 
Our town has it's own water well, so we watered it and it's growing now and thriving. So I guess nice story afterall. ; ) 
We took Branden to the eye doctor. The exam itself took about an hour. Then we went to the glass store. His frames pretty much look exactly the same but they're for adults now. 
This canal in that small city nearest us. They used to have little boats all up and around but now the canals have all but dried up. 
The yogurt has returned to the stores for us here in the countryside in Chiba. 
Have been buying lots of frozen veg or veg grown in far far away places. ; ) 
As you can see no limit 1 milk signs. The milk shortage has lifted where I live. But then we live in the countryside. Foods pretty much back to normal here. 
We went to California all the way back in February, as you know. Now it's April. I think for me, after we got back from California. With it being the end of the school year. I was a little delayed with getting the posts up from the actual California trip. Finally, finally finally got them up minus the usual "what we brought back post". Then the end of the school year got things a little more busy around here. We longed for Spring break. Ehhh I can get that final post up on Spring break I thought. Famous last words. @_@ Then the unthinkable happened, the earthquake and tsunami, the nuclear problem at the Fukushima power plant. And besides having power outages. Plus having the absolute scare of our lives. I think the "what we brought back" post became like the least important thing on our minds. Honestly. We had bigger fish to fry...meaning more important issues like our family of 4 being split up for a while. Etc etc. Also I think, I felt respect wise I would purposely not put it on for a certain length of time. Not saying I'd never put it up. Because well...I can't just have my blog frozen in time either.... that wouldn't really be fair either. And now it's nearing 2 month's later. Since we were in California to begin with. And nearly 3 and a half weeks since the earthquake and tsunami. Still, biding my time and trying to figure out when I should finally get it posted. And then I slowly start seeing other Japan bloggers posting about happy things again and that made me smile, it was needed, and I could definitely use a smile. And I started to think hmm. Perhaps I should start to think about some positive things and write about those. Catch this blog up entirely. Especially considering since I had this post waiting since Feb! Honestly it was quite a long while to wait. And I am glad I did wait. But now feel it's time to start blogging normally again. And since this post has been in pause since Feb, sounds like a good start. So, read this if you want. So anyway....trying really hard to get myself back into the groove once again and into the swing of things. 
Noboru usually wears boxers. But he decided while he was at Target and he saw the cheap pack of undie types the boys got, he got himself a big value pack too and a value pack of socks. 
Hmm, with everyone in the family getting new underwear it was only natural for me to think hmm. Perhaps I should get some new ones as well. So, I got some low cut ones and some bikini ones. And that cheap white bra I told you about way back in February. 
If I were to buy comfy house shorts in Japan. Believe me, I bought some last year for a 2 pack for like $2500. $25 US or with the exchange maybe around $26.50 or somewhere around there. So, honestly yes, it really does save our family budget...plus we were there anyway. And since I'll need comfy house shorts anyway. To get them there. And at $7.99 each it did save us money. 
A savings is a savings. I got 1 pair in large and 1 pair in medium. I'm now wishing I would have got 2 mediums versus 1 of each. Oh well. 1 baggy pair is not so bad I guess. 
I'm not into French stuff at all. But I saw this shirt though and liked the picture. And the beading on her beret. I've been wearing this 2 ways so far. One way is with skin tight capri jeans, the ballet flats with the black rose on the toe and a black blazer. And I've also worn this with a jean jacket and black leggings and those same ballet flats with the big black roses on the toe area. Looks cute either way. I actually wore this on my flight to Guam. The flight attendant commented on my outfit...liking it when we entered the airplane. And I thanked her. Anyway feeling like a dork now so moving on..... 
I am pretty sure I have a 6 month supply of feminine products now. I always worry..what if I run out. I know I'd survive surely....and they do sell them here. Just like the ones from home is all. 
Black flip flops with diamonds. Fake of course but cute anyway with the rhinestones. And denim shorts and khaki shorts for the Summer. I came back with only these 2 summer shorts and the Target house comfy shorts for the house or lounging around. 
I have been interested in the daily face peel. Also the word peel sorta freaks me out. It didn't peel anything off for me. It was really gentle and I have very sensitive skin. But it gave me really really clear skin. I mean like freakishly clean skin. 
My dad enjoyed his. We're enjoying ours too. 
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