Bet you thought I'd fallen off the face of the earth! I've still been around and reading everyone's blogs but just never having time to post anything to my own.
We've had a never ending round of hospitals this past month
1. Setsuo was finally diagnosed as having gallstones but because of a waiting list for the operation, he ended up getting jaundice so was in hospital for 10 days, out for just over a week then back in again for the op plus a week.
2. On the day of Setsuo's operation, after I just got back and was taking the dog to the vets (see below), I got a phone call to say that Setsuo's father had been admitted to a different hospital with pneumonia and because of his age it was a bit touch and go. I managed to get him tranferred to the same hospital and he's genki again although has bed sores - how the home didn't pick up on that I don't know but that's a post for a different day. He's still in hospital but we're looking at other options for when he gets discharged.
3. During that time Keita hurt his elbow ligaments so that was another round of 3 different clincs/hospitals for MRI's and then to see a sports specialist but with a bit of luck he should be back in action mid-December.
4. Also during that time, we found out Daisy's cancer has come back again plus she had an eye infection so it's still a constant round of vet visits. She's going for an examination tomorrow to see if her heart will stand a general anaesthetic and if so, will get the lump removed.
5. To top it all off, I got a whopping big sty so just in case I wasn't already sick of hospitals, I got the pleasure of going to the eye doctor!
So THAT'S why I've not been blogging!
Thankfully my mum was over and was a godsend in holding down the fort but it was a shame we didn't get to do anything at all, especially since my dad also came for the last 2 weeks. Hopefully next time.
Other news
Kana passed her exams for Uni so will be following in Lisa's footsteps (but hopefully will do more work!)
Aya and Daisuke moved flats - even nearer this time!
And believe it or not, as from today, I've pulled a muscle in my back! I think we must have used up our share of bad karma by now!!!
Friday, 6 November 2009
Thursday, 10 September 2009
I can't believe we're a third of the way into September already. The cool mornings and nights are a welcome change but it's seems to have arrived much too early this year. Probably because the kids are all older so summer holidays are no longer a challenge plus having a week lopped off the end because of the flu scare in June(?) made summer just whizz by.
This week I've been trying to get myself a bit more organized because my Mum is going to arrive for a holiday tomorrow but with Keita and Setsuo both being ill, not a lot has happened. (Keita is now over the flu and went back to school today and poor Setsuo is still suffering from stomach pains. He's been to so many doctors but they've finally booked him to have a gastroscopy (camera) on Saturday so hopefully they'll find out what is causing all the pain). Luckily I don't have classes tonight so it'll be a mad clean up all round!
Kana needs to get one of her applications for Uni in the post by today and one of the forms has been going back and forth between her and her teacher - he wouldn't okay it until she'd written it to his satisfaction - I got a phone call at 2pm to say that it's finally finished but because I have classes from 3.30 and her school can take up to an hour to get there, Setsuo has had to go and get it to post it off. Hopefully it's going to be a lot less eventful than it was with Lisa's application - again, Lisa had left it to the last minute and on the way to the PO, Setsuo got knocked off his bicycle in a 'hit and run' accident and ended up in hospital for over a month. Same Uni, same course, same deadline but hopefully a different outcome for Setsuo at least!
Edited - the application got posted off okay and Setsuo also made it home without any mishaps this time!
This week I've been trying to get myself a bit more organized because my Mum is going to arrive for a holiday tomorrow but with Keita and Setsuo both being ill, not a lot has happened. (Keita is now over the flu and went back to school today and poor Setsuo is still suffering from stomach pains. He's been to so many doctors but they've finally booked him to have a gastroscopy (camera) on Saturday so hopefully they'll find out what is causing all the pain). Luckily I don't have classes tonight so it'll be a mad clean up all round!
Kana needs to get one of her applications for Uni in the post by today and one of the forms has been going back and forth between her and her teacher - he wouldn't okay it until she'd written it to his satisfaction - I got a phone call at 2pm to say that it's finally finished but because I have classes from 3.30 and her school can take up to an hour to get there, Setsuo has had to go and get it to post it off. Hopefully it's going to be a lot less eventful than it was with Lisa's application - again, Lisa had left it to the last minute and on the way to the PO, Setsuo got knocked off his bicycle in a 'hit and run' accident and ended up in hospital for over a month. Same Uni, same course, same deadline but hopefully a different outcome for Setsuo at least!
Edited - the application got posted off okay and Setsuo also made it home without any mishaps this time!
Friday, 28 August 2009
The day before school started I took Keita to Mizuno to buy him some shoes (nowhere else I knew was likely to have his size) and because I knew there was a machine to measure your feet on the 4F (baseball) I asked if they'd do it first. Turns out they have an even better machine on the 1F so after getting all measured, the girl said he needed at least a 30.5. Because Mizuno doesn't do half sizes, she brought out a pair of 30 and 32 cm - no 31 in stock. Needless to say the 30 was too small but the 32 fit fine. The pair he tried on was the only pair in the shop and because it's such a hassle to find shoes, I decided to order another pair too - there was only that particular style and colour so he now has two pairs the exact same - good if he wears out one of a pair I suppose!
Here's a picture of one of them next to a 2L bottle!
After that we went upstairs and asked about 'up-shoes' thinking they would have to be order made. We struck lucky because not only do they make them in his size, they had a pair in the store room that had been there since the last sale and were 50% off!
Now the only snag is that he should wear white based shoes for school and although they do have white on them, they are mostly red! If the teacher says anything I'm going to tell them to find a white pair in his size!
Here's another photo of the dogs snuggled up next to each other!
All of the above was written a few days ago but left until I had the photo to add.
On Saturday Keita came home with a high temperature and since the boys who sit behind and in front of him have had the flu, we took him to the doctors and it turns out that he also has it (probably most of the team will catch it too because they all use the same cups during practice). The temperature only lasted 2 days though and both yesterday and today he's been fine (and totally bored) and wants to go back to school. We'll see how he is tomorrow and then probably he can go back on Thursday if his class isn't cancelled. One 2nd year class and one 1st year class have been cancelled because of the number of kids off sick but so far, his is okay.
Here's a picture of one of them next to a 2L bottle!
After that we went upstairs and asked about 'up-shoes' thinking they would have to be order made. We struck lucky because not only do they make them in his size, they had a pair in the store room that had been there since the last sale and were 50% off!
Now the only snag is that he should wear white based shoes for school and although they do have white on them, they are mostly red! If the teacher says anything I'm going to tell them to find a white pair in his size!
Here's another photo of the dogs snuggled up next to each other!
All of the above was written a few days ago but left until I had the photo to add.
On Saturday Keita came home with a high temperature and since the boys who sit behind and in front of him have had the flu, we took him to the doctors and it turns out that he also has it (probably most of the team will catch it too because they all use the same cups during practice). The temperature only lasted 2 days though and both yesterday and today he's been fine (and totally bored) and wants to go back to school. We'll see how he is tomorrow and then probably he can go back on Thursday if his class isn't cancelled. One 2nd year class and one 1st year class have been cancelled because of the number of kids off sick but so far, his is okay.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Yesterday afternoon Keita asked if some of his friends could stay overnight so I said yes before asking how many - turns out there were 7 of them! Luckily they all ate dinner at home first and also brought their own pillow and blanket so I only had rustle up 7 futons for them to sleep on. Apart from the normal rowdiness that you'd expect from 14 yo boys, they are all good kids and Keita has so little time to do sleepovers so I don't mind. Since I knew the amount of bread we had was never going to be enough for breakfast, after dinner I went shopping to the supermarket that just happens to be next door to my friend's restaurant. Since there were only another 2 customers in, I decided to go and keep them company and of course have a couple of beers while we were chatting! I ended up coming home after 10.30 so just as well all the kids are of an age that they can look after themselves! Actually they always sleep in the classroom so I never see them until morning anyway. This morning saw me making 12 hotdogs, 12 hotdog rolls with ham and egg and I also took down oranges and 2 family packs of sweet breads and all that was left was one orange segment - thank god I don't have 8 boys to feed every day! It's so funny to see their sleeping arrangements - the classroom is huge - about 45 tatami mat size - but they always have their futuns really close to each other in one corner and end up in a tangled mess!
Monday, 24 August 2009
Last week Setsuo was complaining of a pains in his back and stomach (high up) so after a lot of nagging agreed to go to the doctors, albeit one for muscular pains. He was okay for a few days and then again this morning woke me to say he'd been up half the night with the same pain. Around 7.45 after throwing up, he asked me to phone the hospital to see if they'd see him and although it did take a while to get transferred and then explain everything, by the time I'd talked to the nurse he was nowhere in sight (the nurse wanted me to ask him if he thought he could wait until 8.30 or needed to go in right away). He was already in the car and ready to drive off and wouldn't wait until I'd taken the phone back upstairs and grabbed a bag. I was so pissed off with him I decided if he felt fit enough to drive, he was fit enough to go by himself so came upstairs and after ranting a bit, decided if there really was something wrong I should be there. So, albeit still fuming, off I went in my car. He had a load of tests done and they put him on a drip so rather than just hang around, I decided I might as well drive HIS car home and then come back again and take him home in MY car. By the time I got back again, he was finished. All the tests came back OK and the doctor said they didn't know what was wrong with him. It was almost a replay of what happened a couple of years ago at New Year - including the fact that he was adamant he was driving himself then too (in the end Aya drove). He can be so childishly stubborn and although I'm sure the pain was genuine, can't see how waiting another 2 or 3 minutes would have been such a hardship. Right now he's upstairs in bed and I've come downstairs to cool off. It didn't help my mood that I'd phoned my adult class students to cancel their lesson because I didn't know if I'd be back or not and didn't want to have to cancel at the last minute - normally I would be quite happy to have an unexpected 'holiday' but just feel more pissed at him because of it (my turn to be childish I know!) Oh to be single!
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Last week's work went by surprisingly quick and was actually less tiring working than it was being 'on holiday'!
Yesterday Keita had to be at the BB ground by 6.15 which meant me getting up at 4.30 but as it was the last match for the 3rd year boys I reckoned the mothers might want to be on their own so went back to bed around 6am and read, slept, read, slept until about 11am. It was so nice to have the day completely free of obligations. At night I was in two minds whether to go walking or not (I'd already had a beer!) but decided at the last minute to go. There was only the two of us and K had also had a beer too so we set off wearily thinking there was no way we'd do it in an hour but lo and behold we managed it in 55 minutes (our record is 50). Today when I weighed myself, I'm back to -2.2kg again so tonight, walking I will go!
This morning I didn't need to be up until 7am and only need to go for the meeting at 3pm - wonder how many feathers are going to be ruffled - so it's another relatively relaxing day especially since everyone is out of the house at the moment!
Poor Kana is still having to go to school every day although seems a bit more relaxed lately. She is thinking about going to the same Uni as Lisa but isn't confident that she'll pass the test. Talking of Lisa, she hasn't been home for over a week and doesn't plan on coming back until next weekend so wonder what she's up to. Usually when she stays away for so long, there's a boy in the picture and I've a feeling it may not be the boyfriend she brought to the firework display!! Aya and Daisuke were here the other night to bring souvenirs from Hiroshima - they'd gone for a couple of days - so it was nice to see them. I've a feeling they are thinking more seriously about getting married although Aya still blows hot and cold so we'll have to wait and see.
Suppose I'd better go and hang out the (3rd lot of) washing and then rustle up something to eat before heading out to BB.
Yesterday Keita had to be at the BB ground by 6.15 which meant me getting up at 4.30 but as it was the last match for the 3rd year boys I reckoned the mothers might want to be on their own so went back to bed around 6am and read, slept, read, slept until about 11am. It was so nice to have the day completely free of obligations. At night I was in two minds whether to go walking or not (I'd already had a beer!) but decided at the last minute to go. There was only the two of us and K had also had a beer too so we set off wearily thinking there was no way we'd do it in an hour but lo and behold we managed it in 55 minutes (our record is 50). Today when I weighed myself, I'm back to -2.2kg again so tonight, walking I will go!
This morning I didn't need to be up until 7am and only need to go for the meeting at 3pm - wonder how many feathers are going to be ruffled - so it's another relatively relaxing day especially since everyone is out of the house at the moment!
Poor Kana is still having to go to school every day although seems a bit more relaxed lately. She is thinking about going to the same Uni as Lisa but isn't confident that she'll pass the test. Talking of Lisa, she hasn't been home for over a week and doesn't plan on coming back until next weekend so wonder what she's up to. Usually when she stays away for so long, there's a boy in the picture and I've a feeling it may not be the boyfriend she brought to the firework display!! Aya and Daisuke were here the other night to bring souvenirs from Hiroshima - they'd gone for a couple of days - so it was nice to see them. I've a feeling they are thinking more seriously about getting married although Aya still blows hot and cold so we'll have to wait and see.
Suppose I'd better go and hang out the (3rd lot of) washing and then rustle up something to eat before heading out to BB.
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Over the past month we've had pressure to decide on a new captain for the team - which was easy as all the boys were more or less in agreement that it be Riku - and also a new Kaicho (head father) and fujin bucho (head mother). The choice for father is usually made by the fathers and Riku's dad was the choice but he didn't want to do it so over the past few weeks there's been quite a lot of animosity and cliques forming. In the end we had another meeting on Sunday and although he finally agreed to do it, he let it be known that he wasn't doing it willingly (and it was quite an eye-opener to see not only that side of him but also a different side of Riku's mum too). The Kaicho usually picks out someone he thinks he can work well with to be the head mother and Riku's father gave 3 names and said they could decide between themselves. One of the names was a mother who had already offered to be the fujin bucho so that was easy but the other two have now become her deputies. Both of them are okay on their own but I've a feeling it isn't going to work well with both of them. They are both friends and are usually the ones that end up causing a lot of friction when they are together. I hope I'm wrong but even if not, I'll just keep out of any arguments that happen. I never thought baseball could cause so many headaches!
I've been out walking for the past couple of nights and when I weighed myself today, it looks like I've put on about 400g over the past week which isn't really surprising since the whole diet, no-beer policy went out the window (plus I had a beer on Mon and two last night!) Still at least 5.5kg to go.......
I've been out walking for the past couple of nights and when I weighed myself today, it looks like I've put on about 400g over the past week which isn't really surprising since the whole diet, no-beer policy went out the window (plus I had a beer on Mon and two last night!) Still at least 5.5kg to go.......
Monday, 17 August 2009
I'm back!
Although I had no English classes, I had BB for 4 days straight so can't really say I had much rest and relaxation but it was nice to have no time schedules on the days I was free. The week went by much too quickly though and since everyone had different timetables, we did absolutely nothing together as a family. It's times like this that I wish the kids were all small again (even though I spent those years hoping they would grow up!)
I'm envious of everyone who is going/has been back to their own country and wish I could just hop on a plane too but it definitely won't happen this year and probably not next either but at least it's something to look forward to.
While I was on holiday the diet (read no beer policy) and walking got pushed to the side but I'm starting up again tonight - just hope it cools down by then.
Although I had no English classes, I had BB for 4 days straight so can't really say I had much rest and relaxation but it was nice to have no time schedules on the days I was free. The week went by much too quickly though and since everyone had different timetables, we did absolutely nothing together as a family. It's times like this that I wish the kids were all small again (even though I spent those years hoping they would grow up!)
I'm envious of everyone who is going/has been back to their own country and wish I could just hop on a plane too but it definitely won't happen this year and probably not next either but at least it's something to look forward to.
While I was on holiday the diet (read no beer policy) and walking got pushed to the side but I'm starting up again tonight - just hope it cools down by then.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Yeah, that's me now on holiday until August 17th! I'm going to be busy with one thing or another but at least no English classes for a while.
Since we don't have a computer upstairs in the house, there's a good chance that I won't even log on so will be taking time-out from blogging and reading blogs.
Hope everyone else manages to get some rest and relaxation - those of you with small kids will have to wait a few more years but enjoy their early years when you can, it's going to be over before you know it!
byeeeee!
Since we don't have a computer upstairs in the house, there's a good chance that I won't even log on so will be taking time-out from blogging and reading blogs.
Hope everyone else manages to get some rest and relaxation - those of you with small kids will have to wait a few more years but enjoy their early years when you can, it's going to be over before you know it!
byeeeee!
Thursday, 6 August 2009
I've been trying to add a weight-loss 'ticker' to this blog but no matter how hard I try, it always comes up with 'illegal characters' so I'll just have to be content with a written update. So far, another 200g which seems a bit paltry but not so bad when added to the other 2kg. Only 6.3 to go!! I have to keep reminding myself that as it's taken 3 years to put on, it's definitely not going to come off in 3 weeks (how I'd love it if that was the case).
Tonight our walking 'leader' is off drinking and another friend has to take her son to the doctors and may not be back in time so I may not go either. Although there are usually quite a few people walking, it's also quite dark in places (a bicycle track with paths on either side) so I don't really fancy going alone. Also the walk time coincides with our dinner time (between 8.30 and 9pm - late I know. Since it's the only time we can all sit down together, I've made a point of having everyone wait for the last person to arrive and now I'm the one who's leaving them to it and taking off!) Anyway, since it's supposedly going to rain this afternoon, walking may not be on the agenda in any case but if it stays dry then maybe I'll go out after dinner and just walk to and around the park perimeter - anything is better than nothing, right?
Tonight our walking 'leader' is off drinking and another friend has to take her son to the doctors and may not be back in time so I may not go either. Although there are usually quite a few people walking, it's also quite dark in places (a bicycle track with paths on either side) so I don't really fancy going alone. Also the walk time coincides with our dinner time (between 8.30 and 9pm - late I know. Since it's the only time we can all sit down together, I've made a point of having everyone wait for the last person to arrive and now I'm the one who's leaving them to it and taking off!) Anyway, since it's supposedly going to rain this afternoon, walking may not be on the agenda in any case but if it stays dry then maybe I'll go out after dinner and just walk to and around the park perimeter - anything is better than nothing, right?
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
I've been so busy reading everyone else's blog, I forgot to update my own (everyone elses life seems much more interesting).
Friday I was relatively good. I had 2 beers and 2 chu-his! Maybe a couple too many but still a lot less than what I'd normally have. I even got home by 11.30pm too so only 30 mins later than my plan. The weather forecast for the next day was rain so I was hoping I'd get out of BB duty no such luck. Instead we had a really hot, humid day and the mothers on duty on Sunday got the day off instead!
On Sunday it was pouring down so we though Kana's parade would be called off too but luckily the sun came out by lunch-time and they got to do their last parade after all. Now they only have the bunkasai and then that's them finished with club. Every year at the parade there are swarms of really creepy guys taking photos and videos of the girls. Last year we actually asked the police to stop one of them - he was taking videos from ground level, right up their skirts! This year they were a bit better but one man's face was a picture, he was just about drooling! Lisa even took HIS photo, it was that intense!
I have combined the Fri JHS class with tonight's one since a lot of the kids are at a special summer cram school so that means from Fri afternoon I'll be finished for 9 days - yeah! I'm going to send out a questionnaire next month asking if they want the whole of August off next year. Even if they don't, I've a feeling I'll be taking at least 2 weeks off!
This Saturday is the start of a 3 day tournament and also the day of the big firework display. I'll have to rush back and get everything prepared for it although Aya said she will help. Because I knew I'd be out all day, I was only going to have the carpenters and family but it turns out there are over 20 people coming as usual. It's a lot of work but I always enjoy it in the end.
Weight-wise, I lot around 2kg then with no walking and beer drinking over the weekend I put all but 500g back on again! However when I weighed myself again this morning, I'm back to the -2kg again. Wonder how much I can lose before the whole cycle repeats itself again this weekend!
Friday I was relatively good. I had 2 beers and 2 chu-his! Maybe a couple too many but still a lot less than what I'd normally have. I even got home by 11.30pm too so only 30 mins later than my plan. The weather forecast for the next day was rain so I was hoping I'd get out of BB duty no such luck. Instead we had a really hot, humid day and the mothers on duty on Sunday got the day off instead!
On Sunday it was pouring down so we though Kana's parade would be called off too but luckily the sun came out by lunch-time and they got to do their last parade after all. Now they only have the bunkasai and then that's them finished with club. Every year at the parade there are swarms of really creepy guys taking photos and videos of the girls. Last year we actually asked the police to stop one of them - he was taking videos from ground level, right up their skirts! This year they were a bit better but one man's face was a picture, he was just about drooling! Lisa even took HIS photo, it was that intense!
I have combined the Fri JHS class with tonight's one since a lot of the kids are at a special summer cram school so that means from Fri afternoon I'll be finished for 9 days - yeah! I'm going to send out a questionnaire next month asking if they want the whole of August off next year. Even if they don't, I've a feeling I'll be taking at least 2 weeks off!
This Saturday is the start of a 3 day tournament and also the day of the big firework display. I'll have to rush back and get everything prepared for it although Aya said she will help. Because I knew I'd be out all day, I was only going to have the carpenters and family but it turns out there are over 20 people coming as usual. It's a lot of work but I always enjoy it in the end.
Weight-wise, I lot around 2kg then with no walking and beer drinking over the weekend I put all but 500g back on again! However when I weighed myself again this morning, I'm back to the -2kg again. Wonder how much I can lose before the whole cycle repeats itself again this weekend!
Friday, 31 July 2009
Last night was the first night we didn't huff and puff our way through our walk so it's obviously doing some good. It only helped that it was coolish too so I got back home feeling rather good. Shoes did well although I now have a blister on a blister (is that possible? If not, it's just double the size). It's the first time to get one on the sole of my foot so I reckon I must walk in a strange way, hmmm.
Tonight is my drinking night (no beer for the past 2 days) so I'm going to have to be strong-willed and get home at a reasonable hour or feel like crap tomorrow morning although I'm hoping the weather forecast turns out right and BB gets cancelled. Problem is, because we are 45 mins away, we never get the message before we have to leave the house.
On all other fronts things are as boring as ever. Friday is my worst day for teaching since I've got one class of 1st graders who just aren't 'getting it'. Reckon I must be getting too old for the amount of energy that age-group have since I remember having the same problems last year with the same age-group (who by the way are now 2 great classes). Maybe next year I'll only take 2nd grade and up! One more lesson to go then off out galivanting.
Oh just remembered something else, because of taxes Setsuo is going to take a cut in pay and when we added up my earnings from the company, teaching and rent, I'll be earning more than him - don't think he was very happy when he realised although it doesn't make much difference since all the money is pooled and it invariably gets put back into the company anyway!
Tonight is my drinking night (no beer for the past 2 days) so I'm going to have to be strong-willed and get home at a reasonable hour or feel like crap tomorrow morning although I'm hoping the weather forecast turns out right and BB gets cancelled. Problem is, because we are 45 mins away, we never get the message before we have to leave the house.
On all other fronts things are as boring as ever. Friday is my worst day for teaching since I've got one class of 1st graders who just aren't 'getting it'. Reckon I must be getting too old for the amount of energy that age-group have since I remember having the same problems last year with the same age-group (who by the way are now 2 great classes). Maybe next year I'll only take 2nd grade and up! One more lesson to go then off out galivanting.
Oh just remembered something else, because of taxes Setsuo is going to take a cut in pay and when we added up my earnings from the company, teaching and rent, I'll be earning more than him - don't think he was very happy when he realised although it doesn't make much difference since all the money is pooled and it invariably gets put back into the company anyway!
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Yesterday I said I was going to have an 'apple-cider soda' drink but meant an apple-vinegar soda drink.
Anyway, I did and it was probably better than the beer after our walk which turns out to be 5.6km. When I told Keita the length, he couldn't believe how such a short walk could make me as tired/sweaty as I was. Baby steps, baby steps.....
My new shoes were a godsend. Not only were they comfortable but they lit the way for us - very white!
Another good thing about doing this walking lark is that it's timed just as I would be washing the dishes so I usually arrive home to them being done for me - last night it was obviously Keita's turn because although the dishes were washed, dried and put away, the rest of the kitchen was a shambles!
Tomorrow I have another 'drinking' night but need to get home at a reasonable time because it's my turn to be 'on duty' at BB. I'm hoping to be back in the house by 11pm but we'll see!
Anyway, I did and it was probably better than the beer after our walk which turns out to be 5.6km. When I told Keita the length, he couldn't believe how such a short walk could make me as tired/sweaty as I was. Baby steps, baby steps.....
My new shoes were a godsend. Not only were they comfortable but they lit the way for us - very white!
Another good thing about doing this walking lark is that it's timed just as I would be washing the dishes so I usually arrive home to them being done for me - last night it was obviously Keita's turn because although the dishes were washed, dried and put away, the rest of the kitchen was a shambles!
Tomorrow I have another 'drinking' night but need to get home at a reasonable time because it's my turn to be 'on duty' at BB. I'm hoping to be back in the house by 11pm but we'll see!
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Have more or less given up on the hula-hoop, I'll try again when I have more of a waist to keep it up with!!
For the past 4 nights I've been going out for a 1-hour fast walk with my neighbour. The first night just about killed me - that's how unfit I am - but it's getting easier and we are walking faster. Two nights ago I ended up with a blister on the sole of my foot and then last night got another one on one of my toes so today I went and bought another pair of shoes which hopefully will solve that problem. Only drawback is that I've also been having a beer when I get home but from tonight, I'm going to have an apple-cider/soda drink instead.
Because of the O-bon holiday, I have no lessons from August 9-17 but got an email last night to say that there are bb matches on quite a few of those days so I won't be having the relaxing time I'd planned.
For the past 4 nights I've been going out for a 1-hour fast walk with my neighbour. The first night just about killed me - that's how unfit I am - but it's getting easier and we are walking faster. Two nights ago I ended up with a blister on the sole of my foot and then last night got another one on one of my toes so today I went and bought another pair of shoes which hopefully will solve that problem. Only drawback is that I've also been having a beer when I get home but from tonight, I'm going to have an apple-cider/soda drink instead.
Because of the O-bon holiday, I have no lessons from August 9-17 but got an email last night to say that there are bb matches on quite a few of those days so I won't be having the relaxing time I'd planned.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Well I've got past the first kg and even managed to lose 200g on top of that so at least it's a start.
I'm more or less eating the same as everyone else but no rice and our meals have probably been re-vamped a little with more tofu related products and veg.
Still no improvement with the hula-hoop - maybe it's just not my thing but will persevere and maybe once a bit more weight comes off it'll get easier.
Another bit of trivial news (but important for me) - after 26 years of being here, I've finally found a deodorant that a) doesn't react with me and b) actually helps me smell a bit sweeter! Yaay!
I'm more or less eating the same as everyone else but no rice and our meals have probably been re-vamped a little with more tofu related products and veg.
Still no improvement with the hula-hoop - maybe it's just not my thing but will persevere and maybe once a bit more weight comes off it'll get easier.
Another bit of trivial news (but important for me) - after 26 years of being here, I've finally found a deodorant that a) doesn't react with me and b) actually helps me smell a bit sweeter! Yaay!
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Well as expected I probably did drink more than you should when you're trying to lose weight but it was fun nonetheless. I was good in that I came home after the meal and didn't go on to the second pub. However, the next night everyone was out of the house - Setsuo has patrol duty at the local summer festival and both Kana and Keita went there with friends - so I was on my own with nobody to even cook for. In the end it was a toss up between reading my book (book 2 of Stieg Larsson's trilogy which is highly recommended) or going out with my neighbour. In the end, the lure of friendship won! We were home just after 9.30 and only had 2 beers so although I wasn't exactly good, it could have been worse!
I still haven't mastered the art of hula-hooping but today had plenty of exercise washing the staircases, cleaning Lisa's room (for those who know her, you'll appreciate what kind of job that was!) and then doing the usual washing of floors and a big pile of washing since it's been raining for the past two days. While I was still feeling enthusiastic (actually it was because I saw myself in the mirror after my shower) I also washed down the verandah. Hopefully by tomorrow morning I'm going to see a bit of a change in the scales because so far I've only lost 800g!
On the bb front, we are off to Wakayama on Saturday with the 3rd year team. If they manage to win then it'll be a repeat on Sunday and again Monday too if they win that game. I've a feeling it'll just be a one day thing though.
I still haven't mastered the art of hula-hooping but today had plenty of exercise washing the staircases, cleaning Lisa's room (for those who know her, you'll appreciate what kind of job that was!) and then doing the usual washing of floors and a big pile of washing since it's been raining for the past two days. While I was still feeling enthusiastic (actually it was because I saw myself in the mirror after my shower) I also washed down the verandah. Hopefully by tomorrow morning I'm going to see a bit of a change in the scales because so far I've only lost 800g!
On the bb front, we are off to Wakayama on Saturday with the 3rd year team. If they manage to win then it'll be a repeat on Sunday and again Monday too if they win that game. I've a feeling it'll just be a one day thing though.
Friday, 17 July 2009
I'm now the proud owner of one multi-coloured hula hoop! Lisa bought it in Don Quixote on her way home but alas there were no skipping ropes. Only snag is........I can't for the life of me get it to spin more than a couple of times without it falling to the floor. Oh well, practice, practice, practice. Lisa and Kana on the other hand can keep it going forever - or at least until they get fed up of spinning it - makes you sick since they're the ones that don't need the exercise.
Last night I was good and stayed off the beer and kept to my no rice dinner - I did go to bed dreaming about what I was going to have for breakfast though! Funnily enough although I ate more this morning, by around 11am I was starving so maybe the metabolism was kicking in.
Tonight and tomorrow will be no problem but on Sunday I'm going to have to make a real effort not to eat/drink too much.
Last night I was good and stayed off the beer and kept to my no rice dinner - I did go to bed dreaming about what I was going to have for breakfast though! Funnily enough although I ate more this morning, by around 11am I was starving so maybe the metabolism was kicking in.
Tonight and tomorrow will be no problem but on Sunday I'm going to have to make a real effort not to eat/drink too much.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
On Sunday night we have another meal out with the whole BB club so I went shopping today to see if I could see anything - nothing fancy, just more than my usual t-shirt and jeans. Whatever I fancied looked terrible on me, mainly because of the weight I've put on and the lack of muscle tone so, once again after seeing myself in the full-length mirror, I am determined to lose at least 5 kg (but hopefully either 7 or 8). I'm going to cut out ALL BEER unless I'm out for the night or it's the weekend which is going to be hard especially since we have loads of it in all the fridges (thanks to summer gifts). I'll try to have better breakfasts and lunches and low calorie dinners. I'll still eat the same foods as everyone else, just smaller quantities and no rice at night.
And, I'm going to buy a skipping rope and hula hoop!!!
I reckon if I manage to skip (you'll be able to hear me puffing miles away!) then it will also tone my legs and upper arms. My upper arms were the biggest shock today. Because it's summer, all the tops had short, short sleeves which really emphasized the flab (not to mention the colour contrast with wearing longer short sleeved t-shirts to BB!) We have the wii fitness DVD but I reckon I should be able to get by with just those two bits of equipment and I can just take them out while I'm waiting for classes or have a free 10 minutes or so.
Last week when I was out food shopping I came across apple cider vinegar that has been getting some good raves so I bought a bottle and finally opened it at lunch time expecting it to taste foul but it was surprisingly good and refreshing so I'm going to drink that with soda water in lieu of beer at nights. (Keita and Setsuo also tried it and liked it too).
Anyway, that's my plan - just hope I can stick to it (and hopefully get out and buy the skipping rope and hula hoop tomorrow!)
Watch this space!!!
And, I'm going to buy a skipping rope and hula hoop!!!
I reckon if I manage to skip (you'll be able to hear me puffing miles away!) then it will also tone my legs and upper arms. My upper arms were the biggest shock today. Because it's summer, all the tops had short, short sleeves which really emphasized the flab (not to mention the colour contrast with wearing longer short sleeved t-shirts to BB!) We have the wii fitness DVD but I reckon I should be able to get by with just those two bits of equipment and I can just take them out while I'm waiting for classes or have a free 10 minutes or so.
Last week when I was out food shopping I came across apple cider vinegar that has been getting some good raves so I bought a bottle and finally opened it at lunch time expecting it to taste foul but it was surprisingly good and refreshing so I'm going to drink that with soda water in lieu of beer at nights. (Keita and Setsuo also tried it and liked it too).
Anyway, that's my plan - just hope I can stick to it (and hopefully get out and buy the skipping rope and hula hoop tomorrow!)
Watch this space!!!
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Since I'm here twiddling my thumbs waiting for my first lesson (3.45) I'd be better off going upstairs and preparing dinner, just can't be bothered. It's been a really boring day today mainly because I was up early (Keita) so got everything out of the way. I also went and got my hair cut and as usual it'll take a couple of days for me to like it (not that it's a different style or anything).
For want of anything better to write, I'll let you know what we're having for dinner - salmon cutlets, tomato spaghetti salad, green salad, rice and ??? Any ideas? Having to think about what to cook is the bane of my life. I love cooking, just don't like planning a menu. Maybe I should post what we eat everyday and then after a month, just start it all over again! In fact, I think if everyone who's blog I read did the same, we may all get some new ideas.
For want of anything better to write, I'll let you know what we're having for dinner - salmon cutlets, tomato spaghetti salad, green salad, rice and ??? Any ideas? Having to think about what to cook is the bane of my life. I love cooking, just don't like planning a menu. Maybe I should post what we eat everyday and then after a month, just start it all over again! In fact, I think if everyone who's blog I read did the same, we may all get some new ideas.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
A long time with no news to post.
There's really been nothing much of happening (not that there ever is) the last few weeks other than that we are all doing whatever it is we do every day. Both kana and keita have had exams - kana is still in the middle of hers - and keita re-joined the school baseball club so setsuo is getting a rest since he was riding his bike with Keita when he was running at night and now no longer needs to do that. Because the school club uses a different ball, he isn't allowed to do any ball throwing (catching is okay though) so the coach said if he brings his own ball and glove, he'll catch for him while the other kids are using the lighter one. He also gets to do all the training exercises on the days when he doesn't have his own club practice.
Keita is also on a work experience thing from the school. They go to shops, restaurants, kindergartens etc and Keita ended up at one of the local kindergartens! They are there from 9 - 4.30 so I bet they'll be glad when the 3 days are over and they are back to school.
Setsuo has just finished the 3rd of the houses he built this year and they have started on the 4th one. All are just around the corner from us so the carpenters don't have far to go. Until now nobody could see into our house but the 3rd one is positioned in such a way that if they looked out of some of their windows, they have a birds eye view into the kitchen area, toilet and bathroom (although are about 6 houses space away) so we have finally got around to putting blinds on those three windows. We are also thinking about putting them on the living room ones, Kana and Keita's rooms and one of the windows in our room. We don't really need them for privacy but it will cut down the amount of sunlight that comes in during the summer.
There's really been nothing much of happening (not that there ever is) the last few weeks other than that we are all doing whatever it is we do every day. Both kana and keita have had exams - kana is still in the middle of hers - and keita re-joined the school baseball club so setsuo is getting a rest since he was riding his bike with Keita when he was running at night and now no longer needs to do that. Because the school club uses a different ball, he isn't allowed to do any ball throwing (catching is okay though) so the coach said if he brings his own ball and glove, he'll catch for him while the other kids are using the lighter one. He also gets to do all the training exercises on the days when he doesn't have his own club practice.
Keita is also on a work experience thing from the school. They go to shops, restaurants, kindergartens etc and Keita ended up at one of the local kindergartens! They are there from 9 - 4.30 so I bet they'll be glad when the 3 days are over and they are back to school.
Setsuo has just finished the 3rd of the houses he built this year and they have started on the 4th one. All are just around the corner from us so the carpenters don't have far to go. Until now nobody could see into our house but the 3rd one is positioned in such a way that if they looked out of some of their windows, they have a birds eye view into the kitchen area, toilet and bathroom (although are about 6 houses space away) so we have finally got around to putting blinds on those three windows. We are also thinking about putting them on the living room ones, Kana and Keita's rooms and one of the windows in our room. We don't really need them for privacy but it will cut down the amount of sunlight that comes in during the summer.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Last night (his birthday) Keita got his 2nd glove this month so he's a very happy boy. I didn't realise that this one was also going to have his name on it as well but since the Mizuno one has it written in Roman letters, it's good that the ZETT one is in Kanji. The true colour of the Mizuno one is the one where Keita is holding it (for some reason the other one looks brown).
Monday, 15 June 2009
On Saturday Aya and I went shopping for something for Keita's birthday. He's already had part of it - 2 prs of leather gloves and also a pitching practice net thing - and the only things we could come up with was even more bb related things - undershirts, socks and pants!! Hopefully Lisa is going to think of something a bit more exciting for him.
It was nice to be with Aya though and after going to the sports shop, we went on to Costco and as always, I managed to spend over 10,000 yen on things that I didn't really need but since it was unusually quiet for a Saturday, it was quite pleasant. Because of the space and high ceilings, I usually come away feeling relaxed (until I have to cart it all up 3 flights of stairs that is).
Edited to add what I can remember buying at Costco
One tray of muffins - I freeze them
One tray of muffin-type cakes - freeze
4 packets of hot dog rolls - freeze
1 big pack of pork mince - freeze
large pack of thinly sliced belly pork (we were having okonomiyaki that night) - half frozen
20 eggs
4L milk
sun dried tomatoes
prawns in a basil dressing
2 big pizzas (I'm having a get-together with about 15+ people at the end of the month)
cream cheese
cream cheese and dipping biscuits
pack of cheddar
- that's the majority of it but there may be something I've missed out.
Ironically, after I'd brought the sun-dried tomatoes home, a box full of ripe tomatoes arrived from Setsuo's aunt so although I really want to eat the sun-dried ones, I'll have to wait until we make inroads on the fresh ones.
It was nice to be with Aya though and after going to the sports shop, we went on to Costco and as always, I managed to spend over 10,000 yen on things that I didn't really need but since it was unusually quiet for a Saturday, it was quite pleasant. Because of the space and high ceilings, I usually come away feeling relaxed (until I have to cart it all up 3 flights of stairs that is).
Edited to add what I can remember buying at Costco
One tray of muffins - I freeze them
One tray of muffin-type cakes - freeze
4 packets of hot dog rolls - freeze
1 big pack of pork mince - freeze
large pack of thinly sliced belly pork (we were having okonomiyaki that night) - half frozen
20 eggs
4L milk
sun dried tomatoes
prawns in a basil dressing
2 big pizzas (I'm having a get-together with about 15+ people at the end of the month)
cream cheese
cream cheese and dipping biscuits
pack of cheddar
- that's the majority of it but there may be something I've missed out.
Ironically, after I'd brought the sun-dried tomatoes home, a box full of ripe tomatoes arrived from Setsuo's aunt so although I really want to eat the sun-dried ones, I'll have to wait until we make inroads on the fresh ones.
Friday, 12 June 2009
Last night was another night on the town, this time with 3 (different from usual) mothers from Keita's last BB team. It was a good night out as usual but that's got to be the last of over-drinking for a while!
Lately I've been getting lazier and lazier and really only doing the basics so today I decided to make a list of things I need to do daily and then another one for things to be done weekly. I always do everything on the lists anyway but just not often enough so hopefully it will give me the impetus to get moving and maybe lose a few pounds too (one way would be to cut down on the beer but since summer is just around the corner, that looks unlikely!) Wonder how long my good intentions are going to last....
Last week when I was having a coffee, there was an advert for a steam cleaner on TV and although I'm not usually tempted, this looked like it would be ideal for the staircases as well as inside the house. When it arrived a few days ago, I tried it out inside the house and it cleaned well but was only slightly less effort than the mop I usually use (it needs to be plugged it whereas the mop obviously doesn't!). This morning I decided to get started on my list and try it out on the staircases and there it was great - a lot less effort that having to scrub the floors and then mop up. It hasn't taken off all the dirt - we'll get the cleaners in one last time and then should be able to keep ahead of it from there. With all the students, the dogs and Keita trailing half the bb pitch home with him, the staircases start to get pretty grotty and that is one area where I need to do more than I've been doing. Right now, from the entrance hall right up to the 3rd floor looks good but I just couldn't face doing the final 2 lots of stairs and 2 landings - the'll have to wait until tomorrow.
Lately I've been getting lazier and lazier and really only doing the basics so today I decided to make a list of things I need to do daily and then another one for things to be done weekly. I always do everything on the lists anyway but just not often enough so hopefully it will give me the impetus to get moving and maybe lose a few pounds too (one way would be to cut down on the beer but since summer is just around the corner, that looks unlikely!) Wonder how long my good intentions are going to last....
Last week when I was having a coffee, there was an advert for a steam cleaner on TV and although I'm not usually tempted, this looked like it would be ideal for the staircases as well as inside the house. When it arrived a few days ago, I tried it out inside the house and it cleaned well but was only slightly less effort than the mop I usually use (it needs to be plugged it whereas the mop obviously doesn't!). This morning I decided to get started on my list and try it out on the staircases and there it was great - a lot less effort that having to scrub the floors and then mop up. It hasn't taken off all the dirt - we'll get the cleaners in one last time and then should be able to keep ahead of it from there. With all the students, the dogs and Keita trailing half the bb pitch home with him, the staircases start to get pretty grotty and that is one area where I need to do more than I've been doing. Right now, from the entrance hall right up to the 3rd floor looks good but I just couldn't face doing the final 2 lots of stairs and 2 landings - the'll have to wait until tomorrow.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Well Lisa has a new boyfriend! She met him when they both went to the same company during their 'looking for a job' campaign.
They got speaking and obviously clicked. Lisa must have mentioned Keita and then he'd told his father who's a baseball coach in Kyoto and it turns out that the father had been to one of Keita's matches a couple of days before!
Anyway, they have been out a couple of times with friends and then on Tuesday they went to Universal Studios together on a proper 'date'. I got to meet him since he came to collect her by car and he was quite chatty - very unusual for new boyfriends but then again it's also unusual for the parents to meet girl/boyfriends unless it's serious. For a change, he's quite good looking!! Wonder how long this one is going to last!!!
Oh and Keita's glove arrived last night - you can imagine his face when he opened the box! We were going to keep it until next Tuesday - his birthday - but decided to give it to him last night. He is one happy boy but now has a dilemma - he has this new glove and will soon get one from the Company that makes his shoes and he doesn't know which one he should use without hurting anyone's feelings.
They got speaking and obviously clicked. Lisa must have mentioned Keita and then he'd told his father who's a baseball coach in Kyoto and it turns out that the father had been to one of Keita's matches a couple of days before!
Anyway, they have been out a couple of times with friends and then on Tuesday they went to Universal Studios together on a proper 'date'. I got to meet him since he came to collect her by car and he was quite chatty - very unusual for new boyfriends but then again it's also unusual for the parents to meet girl/boyfriends unless it's serious. For a change, he's quite good looking!! Wonder how long this one is going to last!!!
Oh and Keita's glove arrived last night - you can imagine his face when he opened the box! We were going to keep it until next Tuesday - his birthday - but decided to give it to him last night. He is one happy boy but now has a dilemma - he has this new glove and will soon get one from the Company that makes his shoes and he doesn't know which one he should use without hurting anyone's feelings.
Monday, 8 June 2009
I had quite a leisurely weekend for a change. Nothing on Saturday with the added bonus that everyone else was out of the house and then on Sunday, although it was an early start for Keita, I didn't need to be out of the house until 11 am so got a few extra hours in bed. After we got back from BB, Kana agreed (surprisingly) to go out for dinner too so there wasn't even any cooking! We only went to a family restaurant but it was nice all the same although I'd forgotten that Keita had been up since 5am so he was completely done in by the time we got home - 10pm.
Lisa has been away overnight to some hot springs with 3 of her friends but will be back tonight. For being a student, she manages to have more holidays than any of the rest of us put together.
Lisa has been away overnight to some hot springs with 3 of her friends but will be back tonight. For being a student, she manages to have more holidays than any of the rest of us put together.
Monday, 1 June 2009
As always, my photos are coming out in the wrong order but these are from Kana's birthday last week. Aya wasn't feeling well and didn't think she would make it but rallied round at the last minute.
Birthday cake
A snoring pig from Keita
Something from Lisa - can't remember what it was but Kana seems happy with it!
Hand rolled sushi for dinner
Next it was our 25th Wedding Anniversary a couple of days early (actual date is in May but since the wedding ceremony wasn't until June 3rd, that's when we celebrate it). Aya and Lisa cooked dinner for us and there was a big bouquet of flowers from M & D and also a picture from the kids.
Finally a couple of Keita that were taken a couple of weeks ago by one of the BB fathers. Both were 'posed' photos but look more like him since most of the ones I have of him in action look like he's grimacing!
I got a phone call from Mizuno the other day to say that the glove Keita is having order made will be ready around the 11th June so it's going to be ready in time for his birthday. He is really excited about it and loved being able to pick all the details himself. He picked a rose brown leather which is a new colour that's not yet in the catalogue. I'll take a photo of it once it arrives.
Birthday cake
A snoring pig from Keita
Something from Lisa - can't remember what it was but Kana seems happy with it!
Hand rolled sushi for dinner
Next it was our 25th Wedding Anniversary a couple of days early (actual date is in May but since the wedding ceremony wasn't until June 3rd, that's when we celebrate it). Aya and Lisa cooked dinner for us and there was a big bouquet of flowers from M & D and also a picture from the kids.
Finally a couple of Keita that were taken a couple of weeks ago by one of the BB fathers. Both were 'posed' photos but look more like him since most of the ones I have of him in action look like he's grimacing!
I got a phone call from Mizuno the other day to say that the glove Keita is having order made will be ready around the 11th June so it's going to be ready in time for his birthday. He is really excited about it and loved being able to pick all the details himself. He picked a rose brown leather which is a new colour that's not yet in the catalogue. I'll take a photo of it once it arrives.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
I reckon I need to check what I've previously written before adding to the blog since the last two entries were almost the same!
Because of the holiday, I managed to go out twice - once with a teacher friend and the other with 4 of the BB mothers. Both were very different nights but both enjoyable.
On the first night out, there were only the two of us so we managed to have a good catch up - I hadn't seen L since last November - and the restaurant we went to was quite posh with lovely food but of course plenty of beer too! I'm glad it was with L because she eats/drinks as much as I do so I came away totally satisfied on all counts! With one thing or another, I never seem to have time to catch up with friends so must make more of an effort.
A couple of nights later it was a much rowdier time with even more drinks consumed! We did order quite a lot of food but I think with the amount of alcohol, we should have had more to eat. The result was 4 rather drunk mothers. I had intended taking a taxi home as I was the only one coming back in this direction but ended up walking the whole way - 40 minutes - which paid off since I worked off the 'what would have been' hangover. I also stopped part way twice, first to go into McDonalds to pee and then next to buy some bread which I ate on the way home.
Now it's back to work with no more holidays (apart from Sat/Sun) until August.
Because of the holiday, I managed to go out twice - once with a teacher friend and the other with 4 of the BB mothers. Both were very different nights but both enjoyable.
On the first night out, there were only the two of us so we managed to have a good catch up - I hadn't seen L since last November - and the restaurant we went to was quite posh with lovely food but of course plenty of beer too! I'm glad it was with L because she eats/drinks as much as I do so I came away totally satisfied on all counts! With one thing or another, I never seem to have time to catch up with friends so must make more of an effort.
A couple of nights later it was a much rowdier time with even more drinks consumed! We did order quite a lot of food but I think with the amount of alcohol, we should have had more to eat. The result was 4 rather drunk mothers. I had intended taking a taxi home as I was the only one coming back in this direction but ended up walking the whole way - 40 minutes - which paid off since I worked off the 'what would have been' hangover. I also stopped part way twice, first to go into McDonalds to pee and then next to buy some bread which I ate on the way home.
Now it's back to work with no more holidays (apart from Sat/Sun) until August.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
I am having an unexpected weeks holday thanks to the swine flu that has started to invade Osaka and Kobe.
On Monday morning, all the schools were told to close for a week and that all kids should be kept indoors so after humming and hawing, I decided that I would also close. I spent most of Monday calling my students who weren't really surprised and since then have been having a relaxing time. I think the number of cases is now just over 150 and there are very few people walking around Osaka - even Umeda - so I'm sure all the kids are feeling a bit of cabin fever. At least mine are older, I feel sorry for the mothers of young children.
On Monday morning, all the schools were told to close for a week and that all kids should be kept indoors so after humming and hawing, I decided that I would also close. I spent most of Monday calling my students who weren't really surprised and since then have been having a relaxing time. I think the number of cases is now just over 150 and there are very few people walking around Osaka - even Umeda - so I'm sure all the kids are feeling a bit of cabin fever. At least mine are older, I feel sorry for the mothers of young children.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Well as predicted they lost to the opposition! It was made even worse because we'd had to be up so early but there's always a next time (although hopefully a later one!)
Here we are all in Swine flu mode with all the schools, cram schools, swimming, piano lessons etc cancelled for this week so I've been phoning my students to tell them English has also been cancelled for the week. Actually I'm quite happy about it since I'll get another weeks holiday but hope it doesn't go past this week or I'll have to start refunding money! So far nobody has mentioned the money aspect and I know all the big places won't be giving any but I think if it goes on, I probably will.
The mask manufacturers must also be rubbing their hands in glee because they can't be found for love nor money. Aya needs to wear one for work so I went searching today but had no luck. Actually I did manage to pick up a pkt of 5 but only because one of my students mothers is a chemist - lucky!
Oh well, better go and try to contact the remaining students I need to phone.
Here we are all in Swine flu mode with all the schools, cram schools, swimming, piano lessons etc cancelled for this week so I've been phoning my students to tell them English has also been cancelled for the week. Actually I'm quite happy about it since I'll get another weeks holiday but hope it doesn't go past this week or I'll have to start refunding money! So far nobody has mentioned the money aspect and I know all the big places won't be giving any but I think if it goes on, I probably will.
The mask manufacturers must also be rubbing their hands in glee because they can't be found for love nor money. Aya needs to wear one for work so I went searching today but had no luck. Actually I did manage to pick up a pkt of 5 but only because one of my students mothers is a chemist - lucky!
Oh well, better go and try to contact the remaining students I need to phone.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Last night Lisa phoned to say that she'd be home on the last train and that she was probably going to go to Tokyo early this morning (job seeking related) and would I take her to the station at 6am so I set my alarm for 5am, got up and then she informed me that she'd changed her mind - grrr. No prizes for guessing that I went back to bed!
I also got a email to say that Keita has to be at the BB ground by 5.30am on Saturday which means he has to leave by 4.45 and I'll have to be up by 4am. I don't have to be there until just after 7am but unlike today, I better not chance going back to bed! There are going to be a lot of sleepy people on Saturday evening. They have their match at 9.30 and if they win, the final straight after. They'll need to play an outstanding game to beat the first team though as their coach is an ex professional player and they demolish almost all the teams they come across. Not only do they have the pro teaching them, the only team that ever managed to beat them disbanded and so they got most of those players too. Anyway, we still have a chance so here's hoping!
Last week we finally ordered Kana's bed and it'll arrive sometime tomorrow morning. It'll have to come through the visitor's room front door and then through the house so I'm going to have to think of what to do with the dogs - probably the verandah. Lisa is in for a shock as she'll have to get up and vacate the room before they arrive, payback for waking me early this morning!
Only three classes today which means we can all eat together. Off to the shops to try to find some inspiration about what to cook!
I also got a email to say that Keita has to be at the BB ground by 5.30am on Saturday which means he has to leave by 4.45 and I'll have to be up by 4am. I don't have to be there until just after 7am but unlike today, I better not chance going back to bed! There are going to be a lot of sleepy people on Saturday evening. They have their match at 9.30 and if they win, the final straight after. They'll need to play an outstanding game to beat the first team though as their coach is an ex professional player and they demolish almost all the teams they come across. Not only do they have the pro teaching them, the only team that ever managed to beat them disbanded and so they got most of those players too. Anyway, we still have a chance so here's hoping!
Last week we finally ordered Kana's bed and it'll arrive sometime tomorrow morning. It'll have to come through the visitor's room front door and then through the house so I'm going to have to think of what to do with the dogs - probably the verandah. Lisa is in for a shock as she'll have to get up and vacate the room before they arrive, payback for waking me early this morning!
Only three classes today which means we can all eat together. Off to the shops to try to find some inspiration about what to cook!
Monday, 11 May 2009
Another month gone by without a post.
April was pretty hectic trying to get the students timetable sorted out - I now have 3 night lessons which isn't great - but finally I got there and the new kids started last week. Like last year, the only times I had to give them were two back to back lessons so I now have all the new kids on a Friday (last years are on Thursdays), an existing class after that and a JHS class at night to boot so I'm knackered at the end of the day.
I was off for 8 days during Golden Week but since Keita had baseball every single day, there were no long lies but surprisingly there were no matches planned for the 2nd year team so at least I didn't have to be there every day. They had a tournament over the weekend though and won 6-0 on Saturday (Keita pitching throughout). On Sunday Seiya pitched the first game and won 1-0 so Keita was in again for the second game and again they won 1-0. Next week is the semi-finals but they are up against the strongest team in the area so will be very lucky if they get into the finals. We'll see.
Yesterday was also Mother's day so there was a big bouquet of carnations waiting for me when I got home and the 6 of us also went out for dinner. Kana wasn't very happy about eating out (as usual) but cheered up and the four of them had Setsuo and I in stitches with some of their conversations - all I'll say is that it must be hard for Keita being the only boy!!
The weather has been really hot the past few days which was maybe good for those going to the beach etc but for us stuck on a baseball ground with absolutely no shade, it was torture. I'm already dreading the summer.
Poor Kana is still having to go to school early and come home late because of exams. No wonder kids go wild once they get to University, they have about 6 years of partying to catch up with.
Talking of Kana, for the past couple of months I've known she has a boyfriend but she's been secretive about it all. Lately I've found out he is the same age as her, went to the same JHS, lives nearby (but still no idea where!), is on the basketball team and is 180cm (almost as tall as Keita). With both of them in school clubs, I've no idea when they every find the time to meet up!
April was pretty hectic trying to get the students timetable sorted out - I now have 3 night lessons which isn't great - but finally I got there and the new kids started last week. Like last year, the only times I had to give them were two back to back lessons so I now have all the new kids on a Friday (last years are on Thursdays), an existing class after that and a JHS class at night to boot so I'm knackered at the end of the day.
I was off for 8 days during Golden Week but since Keita had baseball every single day, there were no long lies but surprisingly there were no matches planned for the 2nd year team so at least I didn't have to be there every day. They had a tournament over the weekend though and won 6-0 on Saturday (Keita pitching throughout). On Sunday Seiya pitched the first game and won 1-0 so Keita was in again for the second game and again they won 1-0. Next week is the semi-finals but they are up against the strongest team in the area so will be very lucky if they get into the finals. We'll see.
Yesterday was also Mother's day so there was a big bouquet of carnations waiting for me when I got home and the 6 of us also went out for dinner. Kana wasn't very happy about eating out (as usual) but cheered up and the four of them had Setsuo and I in stitches with some of their conversations - all I'll say is that it must be hard for Keita being the only boy!!
The weather has been really hot the past few days which was maybe good for those going to the beach etc but for us stuck on a baseball ground with absolutely no shade, it was torture. I'm already dreading the summer.
Poor Kana is still having to go to school early and come home late because of exams. No wonder kids go wild once they get to University, they have about 6 years of partying to catch up with.
Talking of Kana, for the past couple of months I've known she has a boyfriend but she's been secretive about it all. Lately I've found out he is the same age as her, went to the same JHS, lives nearby (but still no idea where!), is on the basketball team and is 180cm (almost as tall as Keita). With both of them in school clubs, I've no idea when they every find the time to meet up!
Monday, 13 April 2009
We ended up not needing to go to Awajishima after all. They played a good game but by the end of the 8th round (Keita pitched for the full 7 - the limit they're allowed) it was still a 2-2 draw so had to do 'chuusen' which they lost (members from both teams pick coloured balls from a bag and the ones with most of a certain colour win). At least it wasn't a 'real' loss and we also got to sleep a little longer the following week!
Lisa went back to her flat the day after I wrote my last post too so the house is in better shape although I still haven't done anything to the room since she is still coming back now and then. She was here overnight on Saturday but left after going on a picnic with her friends on Sunday.
Aya and Daisuke are off to the PIC in Guam at the end of the month and I'm envious! Everyone I know seems to be going somewhere or other. My 'holidays' will have to consist of baseball games for a bit longer but at least I'm starting to enjoy going although still don't really like watching when Keita is playing. It's good when he's doing well but nerve-wracking when not!
Kana has been out of the house by 6am for the past couple of weeks with club practice so unless I'm really tired, I try to get up and make her a packed lunch. She says she doesn't mind buying something but I feel I should especially since I'm always up when it's Keita and baseball. Between the two of them, I sometimes feel like a zombie though and I'm glad I don't work until the afternoon!
Lisa went back to her flat the day after I wrote my last post too so the house is in better shape although I still haven't done anything to the room since she is still coming back now and then. She was here overnight on Saturday but left after going on a picnic with her friends on Sunday.
Aya and Daisuke are off to the PIC in Guam at the end of the month and I'm envious! Everyone I know seems to be going somewhere or other. My 'holidays' will have to consist of baseball games for a bit longer but at least I'm starting to enjoy going although still don't really like watching when Keita is playing. It's good when he's doing well but nerve-wracking when not!
Kana has been out of the house by 6am for the past couple of weeks with club practice so unless I'm really tired, I try to get up and make her a packed lunch. She says she doesn't mind buying something but I feel I should especially since I'm always up when it's Keita and baseball. Between the two of them, I sometimes feel like a zombie though and I'm glad I don't work until the afternoon!
Thursday, 2 April 2009
The days seem to be flying past lately.
Lisa has been home for most of the past 6 weeks and although it's nice to have her here (mostly), it'll also be nice when she goes back to Uni and her own flat. She is still as untidy as ever - but only when she's here, her own place is neat enough - and it's starting to get on my nerves. Also she had tonsillitis last week and made everyone aware of it. I'm just getting over a cold too so she had me frazzled! Once she does go back and I get the room back into some kind of order, I'm going to make it into a kind of sitting room so Keita or Kana can have friends round without needing to worry about the dogs.
Teaching wise it's been pretty tiring lately with all the trial lessons and trying to sort out a new timetable. I can't finalise things until the end of this month when all the new J High kids decide on clubs/juku days but I'm slowly getting there. In all, I think I lost 1, asked another to leave (only because she never came and because she was so far behind I was giving her private lessons which she often didn't come to either) and around 10 new 7 year olds. For the next couple of months it'll be hard until they all settle down but hopefully we'll get into some kind of rhythm faster than last year's new kids did.
This weekend is the start of a tournament for the older boys team and Keita and two friends will join them. If they win the match on Sunday (home ground) then they'll have to go to Awajishima next week which will mean a really early start as they're slotted in for the first match at 9am and since the government reduced the road tolls to 1,000 yen no matter where you drive to/from, all the roads have been jam-packed.
This Sunday is also the ceremony for the new 1st year boys and seemingly they are all pretty good. I think there will be about 17 -20 joining so the weaker ones from Keita's team will have to watch out or they'll be ousted!
Aya and Daisuke are thinking of going on holiday at the end of the month but haven't decided where yet although have been thinking about Saipan or Guam since both places are near and they don't have that much time off work. These days flights are much cheaper - I took my Thai friend to the Travel agents to book her ticket home (first time in 11 years!) and it only cost around 45,000 yen.
Lisa has been home for most of the past 6 weeks and although it's nice to have her here (mostly), it'll also be nice when she goes back to Uni and her own flat. She is still as untidy as ever - but only when she's here, her own place is neat enough - and it's starting to get on my nerves. Also she had tonsillitis last week and made everyone aware of it. I'm just getting over a cold too so she had me frazzled! Once she does go back and I get the room back into some kind of order, I'm going to make it into a kind of sitting room so Keita or Kana can have friends round without needing to worry about the dogs.
Teaching wise it's been pretty tiring lately with all the trial lessons and trying to sort out a new timetable. I can't finalise things until the end of this month when all the new J High kids decide on clubs/juku days but I'm slowly getting there. In all, I think I lost 1, asked another to leave (only because she never came and because she was so far behind I was giving her private lessons which she often didn't come to either) and around 10 new 7 year olds. For the next couple of months it'll be hard until they all settle down but hopefully we'll get into some kind of rhythm faster than last year's new kids did.
This weekend is the start of a tournament for the older boys team and Keita and two friends will join them. If they win the match on Sunday (home ground) then they'll have to go to Awajishima next week which will mean a really early start as they're slotted in for the first match at 9am and since the government reduced the road tolls to 1,000 yen no matter where you drive to/from, all the roads have been jam-packed.
This Sunday is also the ceremony for the new 1st year boys and seemingly they are all pretty good. I think there will be about 17 -20 joining so the weaker ones from Keita's team will have to watch out or they'll be ousted!
Aya and Daisuke are thinking of going on holiday at the end of the month but haven't decided where yet although have been thinking about Saipan or Guam since both places are near and they don't have that much time off work. These days flights are much cheaper - I took my Thai friend to the Travel agents to book her ticket home (first time in 11 years!) and it only cost around 45,000 yen.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Keita got the all clear to start playing again but also has to wear a corset for the next 3 - 6 months when he isn't doing sports. It's going to be tough getting him to wear it once the summer starts but at least there's 3 months until then.
He has what looks like a hairline fracture all around one of the bones of his spine which the doctor said is very common in sports and that there is no guarantee that it will ever repair itself even if he stopped playing baseball for a while. Some people go on to get a tingling sensation in their legs which often indicates a need for surgery (a small percentage) but unless that happens, he can just play as usual.
So he is a very happy boy today and no doubt the coaches are all going to bit happier too knowing he'll be able to pitch in the spring tournament and I'm relieved that it's not as bad as it could have been and I no longer have to play the 'bad guy' and keep him out of games.
As an aside - Lisa got booked by the police for running a red light last night - she was only taking her friend to the train station up the road and said the light was between green and red but she now has a 9000 yen fine!
He has what looks like a hairline fracture all around one of the bones of his spine which the doctor said is very common in sports and that there is no guarantee that it will ever repair itself even if he stopped playing baseball for a while. Some people go on to get a tingling sensation in their legs which often indicates a need for surgery (a small percentage) but unless that happens, he can just play as usual.
So he is a very happy boy today and no doubt the coaches are all going to bit happier too knowing he'll be able to pitch in the spring tournament and I'm relieved that it's not as bad as it could have been and I no longer have to play the 'bad guy' and keep him out of games.
As an aside - Lisa got booked by the police for running a red light last night - she was only taking her friend to the train station up the road and said the light was between green and red but she now has a 9000 yen fine!
Monday, 16 March 2009
A month later.....
Not a great deal to write about but to sum up what's been happening over the past month
Kana passed the interview of her Eiken exam so now has the full pre-1st qualification. So far she has beaten Lisa to it by about 6 months. The next level is pretty tough but she has another year to keep trying for it (actually she can try as many times as she wants and not only while she's in High School but if she's like Lisa, she won't bother once she gets to Uni!)
Lisa has been to a few seminars, interviews etc and so far has got through them all. They are eliminating more and more at each level but she has the whole of this year to keep going to them and hopefully find a job that she wants to do.
Keita will go to see the sports doctor tomorrow and I'm hoping that he'll be given the all clear. There's a lot of frustration at not being able to play in the matches so Keita is going to be very disappointed if he says that he still needs more time out. Not only Keita but the coaches too - don't know whether it's just my imagination or not but they seem to be acting a bit 'cool'. Not surprising really since I'm the one that's insisting that they keep him out of the games. Might have to play the 'spoilsport' for a bit longer though.
Last week was my last lesson at the pre-school but today when I met Tracy (who'll take over in May) she said her Uni class from April won't finish until 10.30 so getting from there, back to Juso in 30 minutes is going to be pretty tough. Keep your fingers crossed that they'll delay the class a bit or I might find myself being asked to go back again. As it is, she is thinking about going back to NZ next year so I'm almost 100% sure I'll only have this year away from the place - hopefully that will be enough of a break.
So far the majority of my students who will start JHS this year have decided to continue studying here and I also have another 8 that are wanting to start. Two of them have already been for a trial lesson and are waiting to hear about the schedule and the other 6 will come next week. Two of the 6 have older siblings so they are definite but I'll have to wait and see about the other 4. There will no doubt be some others nearer the time but that's okay since I don't start them until they've been at school for a month anyway (May).
Setsuo is also really busy with work and has just finished one house, has started another two and has an order for one more. Hopefully that means that some money will start coming in instead of it going out in all directions!
The other night, Aya, Daisuke, Lisa and I went out for a drink and Aya was saying that she might go back to the UK for a holiday sometime this year. I wonder if she's starting to get itchy feet....
Not a great deal to write about but to sum up what's been happening over the past month
Kana passed the interview of her Eiken exam so now has the full pre-1st qualification. So far she has beaten Lisa to it by about 6 months. The next level is pretty tough but she has another year to keep trying for it (actually she can try as many times as she wants and not only while she's in High School but if she's like Lisa, she won't bother once she gets to Uni!)
Lisa has been to a few seminars, interviews etc and so far has got through them all. They are eliminating more and more at each level but she has the whole of this year to keep going to them and hopefully find a job that she wants to do.
Keita will go to see the sports doctor tomorrow and I'm hoping that he'll be given the all clear. There's a lot of frustration at not being able to play in the matches so Keita is going to be very disappointed if he says that he still needs more time out. Not only Keita but the coaches too - don't know whether it's just my imagination or not but they seem to be acting a bit 'cool'. Not surprising really since I'm the one that's insisting that they keep him out of the games. Might have to play the 'spoilsport' for a bit longer though.
Last week was my last lesson at the pre-school but today when I met Tracy (who'll take over in May) she said her Uni class from April won't finish until 10.30 so getting from there, back to Juso in 30 minutes is going to be pretty tough. Keep your fingers crossed that they'll delay the class a bit or I might find myself being asked to go back again. As it is, she is thinking about going back to NZ next year so I'm almost 100% sure I'll only have this year away from the place - hopefully that will be enough of a break.
So far the majority of my students who will start JHS this year have decided to continue studying here and I also have another 8 that are wanting to start. Two of them have already been for a trial lesson and are waiting to hear about the schedule and the other 6 will come next week. Two of the 6 have older siblings so they are definite but I'll have to wait and see about the other 4. There will no doubt be some others nearer the time but that's okay since I don't start them until they've been at school for a month anyway (May).
Setsuo is also really busy with work and has just finished one house, has started another two and has an order for one more. Hopefully that means that some money will start coming in instead of it going out in all directions!
The other night, Aya, Daisuke, Lisa and I went out for a drink and Aya was saying that she might go back to the UK for a holiday sometime this year. I wonder if she's starting to get itchy feet....
Monday, 16 February 2009
Kana passed her pre-1 English test the other week so now just has to get through the interview part. Because I'm British, most people think that it's a given that they'll speak English but the fact is, we only ever speak Japanese in the house and their achievements come from mostly hard work on their parts. They do have a bit of an advantage in that they get to use their English when family meet up but in fact those times are few and far between so well done Kana!
Lisa is off to Tokyo tomorrow for work seminars. Now that she is coming up to her final year of University, she'll have to attend a lot of them, but hopefully they'll not all be in far off places or it'll cost a fortune! I think she is going to meet up with friends from her NZ days so will no doubt have fun at the same time.
Last week, a reporter from the Sports Houchi newspaper (same newspaper as last time) phoned the house to interview Keita and said that he'll run it with a photo in this week's edition. The previous Sunday, one of the other mothers said that someone was taking Keita's photo but I just presumed it was someone from the other team and dismissed it but it turned out it was from the paper. They'd also been talking to the coach/team owner too so it'll be interesting to see what they write about - if it's based on the conversation they had with Keita, there won't be much to write about!!
We've also finally got an appointment with one of the Sports Doctors from a big hospital for March 17th so hopefully he'll be able to advise about how much he should be playing until the bone knits back. He doesn't have any pain just now which is good but it also means that he wants to play and the coaches are starting to use him again albeit for only 2 or 3 rounds at a time.
His new spikes finally arrived last week too (whenever he needs a bigger size, it takes at least a month for the company to make them) and they've said that until he goes into the Sen High School, they'll make his shoes for free. They also gave me a 'ground' coat as a present and gave him a catalogue to choose a style of baseball mitt that he likes and they'll make him one. He of course is delighted with all the attention he is getting and I've been nicely surprised at how cool he's been with it all. He has a lot more confidence but doesn't seem to be big-headed or boastful. Apart from family, this blog and non-baseball friends, I can't really tell anyone either - there is enough competition between some of the mothers as it is without adding any more.
Lisa is off to Tokyo tomorrow for work seminars. Now that she is coming up to her final year of University, she'll have to attend a lot of them, but hopefully they'll not all be in far off places or it'll cost a fortune! I think she is going to meet up with friends from her NZ days so will no doubt have fun at the same time.
Last week, a reporter from the Sports Houchi newspaper (same newspaper as last time) phoned the house to interview Keita and said that he'll run it with a photo in this week's edition. The previous Sunday, one of the other mothers said that someone was taking Keita's photo but I just presumed it was someone from the other team and dismissed it but it turned out it was from the paper. They'd also been talking to the coach/team owner too so it'll be interesting to see what they write about - if it's based on the conversation they had with Keita, there won't be much to write about!!
We've also finally got an appointment with one of the Sports Doctors from a big hospital for March 17th so hopefully he'll be able to advise about how much he should be playing until the bone knits back. He doesn't have any pain just now which is good but it also means that he wants to play and the coaches are starting to use him again albeit for only 2 or 3 rounds at a time.
His new spikes finally arrived last week too (whenever he needs a bigger size, it takes at least a month for the company to make them) and they've said that until he goes into the Sen High School, they'll make his shoes for free. They also gave me a 'ground' coat as a present and gave him a catalogue to choose a style of baseball mitt that he likes and they'll make him one. He of course is delighted with all the attention he is getting and I've been nicely surprised at how cool he's been with it all. He has a lot more confidence but doesn't seem to be big-headed or boastful. Apart from family, this blog and non-baseball friends, I can't really tell anyone either - there is enough competition between some of the mothers as it is without adding any more.
Monday, 26 January 2009
My new year resolution was to stop posting so much about Keita and baseball (maybe that's why the posts have dried up, my life seems to revolve around baseball these days) but I'm going to break it to have another 'oyabaka' moment so please bear with me!
On Saturday, because I was having all the first year mothers and players back to the house for a party, I intended to have another mother take over from me at lunch time so I could get home and organised but around 11am Setsuo phoned to say that one of the owners from a company he uses had phoned to say that his friend had contacted him to see if he would arrange for him and another man to go and see Keita play and could they go that day around 1.30. It turned out that the 'friend' was a scout from the Yomiuri Giants!! (For those of you not in Japan, the Giants are one of the Major Baseball Teams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomiuri_Giants) so it was both a shock and really exciting! After they had been to the ground, watched Keita (and also Riku) then spoken to the coaches they came back to the office for a coffee. They stayed for about 40 minutes and we had quite a good chat and he said that he'll come back now and again when he's in this area. So, things are really looking good for the pair of them - now we just have to hope they'll continue to improve and be injury-free.
At night, there were about 29 of us for the party and a lot of eating and drinking went on. The majority left around 11pm but there were still 4 of us until just before 3am! The next morning I had to force myself to get up at 7am to get Keita out the door and although I intended going back to bed for a couple of hours, managed to stay awake. By night time I was shattered and I think we were all in bed by about 10.
Kana had her Eiken test on Sunday too - she hadn't really studied for it so I don't know how she'll have got on but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her.
Other than that, it's really cold just now and we had snow showers both Sat and Sun. Here's hoping it gets a bit warmer!
On Saturday, because I was having all the first year mothers and players back to the house for a party, I intended to have another mother take over from me at lunch time so I could get home and organised but around 11am Setsuo phoned to say that one of the owners from a company he uses had phoned to say that his friend had contacted him to see if he would arrange for him and another man to go and see Keita play and could they go that day around 1.30. It turned out that the 'friend' was a scout from the Yomiuri Giants!! (For those of you not in Japan, the Giants are one of the Major Baseball Teams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomiuri_Giants) so it was both a shock and really exciting! After they had been to the ground, watched Keita (and also Riku) then spoken to the coaches they came back to the office for a coffee. They stayed for about 40 minutes and we had quite a good chat and he said that he'll come back now and again when he's in this area. So, things are really looking good for the pair of them - now we just have to hope they'll continue to improve and be injury-free.
At night, there were about 29 of us for the party and a lot of eating and drinking went on. The majority left around 11pm but there were still 4 of us until just before 3am! The next morning I had to force myself to get up at 7am to get Keita out the door and although I intended going back to bed for a couple of hours, managed to stay awake. By night time I was shattered and I think we were all in bed by about 10.
Kana had her Eiken test on Sunday too - she hadn't really studied for it so I don't know how she'll have got on but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her.
Other than that, it's really cold just now and we had snow showers both Sat and Sun. Here's hoping it gets a bit warmer!
Thursday, 22 January 2009
All the photos have come out in the wrong order but I can't be bothered to changed them all around!
My birthday - Lisa cooked all the food but we forgot to take a photo of the spread so there is only a plateful of the left overs!!
At the noodle museum
At the bowling alley
At Kobe bird park
Fooling around in new pajamas - Granny in Keita's!
Daisuke, Aya, Lisa, Kana, Keita under the tree
My birthday - Lisa cooked all the food but we forgot to take a photo of the spread so there is only a plateful of the left overs!!
At the noodle museum
At the bowling alley
At Kobe bird park
Fooling around in new pajamas - Granny in Keita's!
Daisuke, Aya, Lisa, Kana, Keita under the tree
We had a great Christmas and even though some of us caught the cold over the New Year, that was good too. Every Christmas we have an unwritten rule that no matter how busy we are, we have to make time to go out for dinner together on the 25th and this year was no exception (even though Aya and Setsuo were working, Kana had school and Keita baseball) and we also had Mum and Dad and Daisuke (Aya's boyfriend) with us so we were a party of 9. We booked the restaurant for 7.45pm so it meant Aya had to come straight from work but it gave the rest of us time to get ready. Having Daisuke there brought home the fact that it will never be just the 6 of us again which is nice in a way but at the same time a bit sad that the kids are no longer kids!
After the meal and a change of clothes for some (we'd eaten too much and they were starting to be uncomfortable!) we went down to my classroom where the presents were under the tree. Again because of work and school, we have always opened brithday and Christmas presents in the evening when everyone can be together and it no longer feels 'strange' although I think M & D found it a bit odd.
At New Year we had intended to go out to the Temple in the evening but because M and I were suffering with the cold, we scrapped that idea and just stayed at home with our bowl of noodles. This is the first year that there has been no need to make 'proper' New Year food which meant I could sleep a bit later. I did make the special soup and some of the dishes but only the things that we all like. In the afternoon, we left M&D and while Setsuo went to Kyoto to his mother's grave, Aya, Kana, Keita and I went to see Oji-chan (Lisa couldn't get out of her bed). I'd worried about him being in the home over the NY period but he didn't seem fazed and was delighted to see the kids.
While M&D were over, we didn't manage any big trips but it was nice to see them again and hopefully they enjoyed their days out even if most were just to shopping malls, restaurants etc. One good day was at the Noodle museum nearby - we all decorated out noodle pots and then chose what flavours and toppings to put in them - all for the grand sum of 300 yen each! There was also a floor where you could make your own noodles but we we got there too late.
This is my 2nd week back at work but I'm taking most of the days slower than usual and trying to stay out of the office most of the morning.
Photos on the next post.
After the meal and a change of clothes for some (we'd eaten too much and they were starting to be uncomfortable!) we went down to my classroom where the presents were under the tree. Again because of work and school, we have always opened brithday and Christmas presents in the evening when everyone can be together and it no longer feels 'strange' although I think M & D found it a bit odd.
At New Year we had intended to go out to the Temple in the evening but because M and I were suffering with the cold, we scrapped that idea and just stayed at home with our bowl of noodles. This is the first year that there has been no need to make 'proper' New Year food which meant I could sleep a bit later. I did make the special soup and some of the dishes but only the things that we all like. In the afternoon, we left M&D and while Setsuo went to Kyoto to his mother's grave, Aya, Kana, Keita and I went to see Oji-chan (Lisa couldn't get out of her bed). I'd worried about him being in the home over the NY period but he didn't seem fazed and was delighted to see the kids.
While M&D were over, we didn't manage any big trips but it was nice to see them again and hopefully they enjoyed their days out even if most were just to shopping malls, restaurants etc. One good day was at the Noodle museum nearby - we all decorated out noodle pots and then chose what flavours and toppings to put in them - all for the grand sum of 300 yen each! There was also a floor where you could make your own noodles but we we got there too late.
This is my 2nd week back at work but I'm taking most of the days slower than usual and trying to stay out of the office most of the morning.
Photos on the next post.
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