The Parrots at Abbey Road in Roppongi

This is where I'll be tonight and every Saturday night until I leave Tokyo, Japan.

This Beatles tribute band is freaking amazing!  I've already seen them twice, and I'll be seeing them again tonight at Abbey Road downtown in Roppongi.  If you are ever in Tokyo, you've got to check these guys out!  They are amazing!  Seriously!  AMAZING!

As you know, I'm a huge fan of The Beatles.  So much so that I named my kiddo after John Lennon's first son, Julian.  But on this blog, I refer to my son as Jude, as in Hey Jude.  You can totally blame my father for my love of The Beatles, and I'm doing my best to instill that same love for The Beatles in my kid.  In fact, I'll be taking Jude to Abbey Road tonight for the first time.  Since kids are allowed and the place is really nice, I feel comfortable bringing him.  I can't wait to see Jude's reaction when he sees The Beatles playlist on our iPod come alive!  And, of course he'll be wearing hearing protection!

Addicted to donuts

I recently discovered Krispy Kreme donuts here in Japan.  I had never eaten a Krispy Kreme until about 2 months ago.  And that first Krispy Kreme was like a little piece of heaven!  So, needless to say, we've been going and getting donuts quite often, maybe a little too often!  My expanding waste line might be contributed to my mass consumption on Krispy Kreme donuts!  Maybe.

Here is Jude making funny faces after eating 2 glazed Krispy Kreme donuts.  

Rice and Ramen

The other night we had rice and ramen for dinner.  We went to our favorite ramen shop and pigged out!  This is what we ate:

This is what the fried rice looked like before we cooked it at our table.

And this is what it looked like after it was cooked and before I shoved it down my face!

And here is Jude pigging out on ramen.  Yes, my kid can use chopsticks.

Trayvon Martin

So, I live on the other side of the planet in Japan.  I didn't hear about Trayvon's death until a few days after it happened, when the media went crazy.

Once I read the news reports, I was shocked and saddened.  I know everyone has an opinion on the matter, so I'm going to give you mine; after all, this is MY useless blog.

As a mother of a mixed race minority son, Trayvon Martin's death scares me.  When did it become okay to kill a young boy because of the way he looks and the clothes he wears?  When did it become okay for the police to turn the other way and not investigate a shooting  fully simply because the shooter was a half-ass neighborhood watch guy with too much free time on his hands and a concealed handgun license?   When did all this happen?  When did it become a death sentence to walk home from a friend's house wearing a hoodie and baggy pants?  

If this is the America my husband has promised to serve, then I don't want him to serve anymore!  And if this is the America we are going back to, then I'd rather stay in Japan!

Life is such a precious thing!  I don't understand how one man can take another's so easily!  I don't understand why the police didn't do a full investigation.  I just don't understand!

In my opinion, Trayvon Martin's death is such a tragedy for America.  It brings race and racism to the forefront, illustrating just how far we still need to go as a nation.

And aren't we better than all of this?!  Aren't we the greatest nation in the world?  Yet, our youth, especially minority boys, seem to have to live in fear of being hunted down in cold blood because of the way they look.

As a mother, I can only imagine the heartache Trayvon's parents must be feeling.  I hope someday they can find peace.

And as a mother of a minority son, Trayvon's death infuriates me to the core!  I hope the police realize their mistakes and investigate Trayvon's death thoroughly.  As an AMERICAN, doesn't he deserve that?!

100 Yen Sushi

In Japan, there is a chain sushi restaurant that sells most types of sushi for 100 Yen (about a dollar a plate).  The food isn't the best, but when you get a hankering for some quick, cheap sushi, this is the place to go.  So, today on my way home from work, I was starving, and I felt like eating sushi and didn't want to spend a fortune, so I went to a 100 Yen sushi shop.  I took these pictures.

This place also has a conveyor belt that brings sushi to you.  I tried to get a decent picture of it with my iPhone, but this was the best I could do.

And to keep prices down, the sushi chefs are kept in the kitchen, and you can order food by using a handy-dandy touch screen.  Then, the food you ordered comes to you on a little train they send out on the first little shelf.  Jude loves to order things so he can watch the train zoom around to him with food on it.  It's way cool!

Allergies suck

So, all weekend Jude has been seriously suffering from bad allergies.  The poor kid sneezes about 100 times a day, and his nose is so stuffy and runny.  His eyes are so watery and puffy, he can barely see.  He's just miserable!  He's tried several different allergy medications, and they aren't helping, so he will be staying home from school today, and we'll be heading to the doctor.

I hate it when my poor little guy is miserable!  I wish there was something I could do for him!

Pinewood Derby

This weekend Jude participated in his first pinewood derby race.  This is one of the highlights of the year for all Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.  Actually, it's a huge deal!  Like, boys and dads go nuts over this kind of crap, getting all competitive and spending weeks to create the perfect car.

Husband and Jude had great time working together, but, unfortunately, Jude's car didn't place.  But, in the end, Jude and Husband spent countless hours working together, doing manly things as a team...and that's what it's all about.

So, good job boys!  Maybe next year!

Duet

We were bored last night, so we decided to do our favorite thing: sing karaoke.  With our days numbered here, we are indulging in everything we enjoy. And nothing makes me happier than to hear Husband and Jude sing a duet.  I love it!

It snowed again!

Two weeks ago it snowed again.  It was crazy snow-- the kind that just keeps falling and falling.  It was so beautiful, and, of course, we had to go play in it.

I took this picture at a stop light down the street.

Jude at the park near our place, playing in the deep snow!

A year later, 3/11/12

Wow, I can't believe it's been a year since Japan experienced one of the world's worst natural disasters.  The time has flown by, but for me, 3/11/11 seems like yesterday.

Today will be a somber day with sirens blaring at 2:46 PM.  The sirens are expected to last for several minutes, and during that time we will take a few minutes to pray for all of those who died, suffered and are still suffering because of the earthquake and tsunami.

There are certain days in your life that you will never forget, like September 11th. For me, March 11th is one of those days.  No matter how hard I try to forget the fear, anxiousness, and sadness that grabbed hold of me on that day, I cannot.

The events of March 11th were unimaginable, and I was here to witness them firsthand.  On that day, I experience the worst moment of my entire life.  It happened when Jude and I were hiding under our dining room table, watching as things were shaking and falling, listening to the horrible sound of our apartment building contort and flex, being jerked around by the force of the earthquake.  Jude was crying hysterically and asked me, "Mommy, are we going to die?"  At that moment, I didn't know the answer to his question.  I had no idea what was going to happen.  At that moment, my heart sunk.  A 6 year old child should never, ever have to utter those words.  Never!  And to hear MY sweet, helpless baby ask me if we were going to die, shot a jolt through me.  I decided we weren't going to stay in our building to see what was going to happen.  I decided we were going take our chances and run out.  We were going to be active participants in whatever was going to happen next.  We weren't going to sit there under the table and wait.  No!  We were going to run and get out.  And that's just what we did.

Once we were out and safe, nothing else mattered.  I was safe and my baby was safe.  I spent the rest of that miserable day outside, too scared to go back inside, wanting to protect my baby boy from all that could harm him.  I refused to spend the night in my apartment building.  I was too scared to go back, so we spent the next several nights at a friend's house, where I felt safer.

Ten days later, under Husband's order, Jude and I evacuated back to the States-- not knowing if or when we would be able to return or see Husband again.

March 11th and the month that followed sucked!  The uncertainty of the situation was the worst part.

However, I know March 11th sucked a lot worse for my Japanese students, friends and co-workers.  Yet, they handled it with honor, patience, pride and resiliency.  I saw the sorrow in their eyes, and today, it still lingers for some.

So, today on March 11, 2012, I think about that dreadful day a year ago, and I'm overcome with sadness for my gracious host nation and all of those in it.  

Conversation in the car

Jude:  "Mom, I love the snow because everything is so white and pretty."

Weenie:  "I agree, it's lovely."

Jude:  "But, mom, I still love you more than snow."

I know, I've got the sweetest little boy ever!  

Growing up

When we moved here to Japan, Jude was a toddler, crapping in his diapers.  He had just turned 3 years old.  In the last 4 1/2 years, my little guy  has blossomed to a big kid, a really big kid!  He's only 7 years old and he's already 4 feet tall.  He'll be taller than me before I know it.

Jude and I hiking in the jungles of Khao Sok National Park in Thailand. 

Shit, where does the time go?!

Happy Valentine's Day

Since I live in the future, I already had a great Valentine's day with my family!  I started the day by volunteering at Jude's school.  His class had a Valentine's day party, and I helped out.  Then, for dinner we ate sushi.  Yum!  After that, Husband and I curled up on the couch together and watched a cheesy girly flick.

And Husband surprised me with an AWESOME Valentine's day gift:  Breaking Dawn Part 1 on Blu-ray!  Yes, my husband LOVES me!  I loved how Husband wrapped the gift in Christmas wrapping paper!

So, I hope you have a great day and spend it with those you love most!

Instagram pics

Here are a few pictures I took with my iPhone last week:

I took this picture at the Tama Zoo- one of our favorite places in Tokyo!

Last week it snowed.  I took this at 7 AM near the park near my apartment building.  

My kiddo trying to make a snow angel. 

Moving

It's officially unofficial that we will be moving to Georgia this summer.  We haven't gotten all the paperwork, yet, but Husband is expected to be at his new job by August 22nd.  And since Jude's school starts on August 1st, we hope to be there and settled before school starts. We hope to leave Japan the first week of July or so.

Keep in mind, these dates could change.

So we have about 5 months left in the Land of the Rising Sun!  I  can't believe it.  I wish time would pass a little slower, so I can take it all in just a little more!

24 hours

Husband will be back in my arms in 24 hours, but who's counting?  Oh, did I forget to tell you?  Husband has been gone for about a week.  We was on a business trip and will be returning tomorrow.

Even after almost 9 years of marriage, I still miss him when he's gone.  Even though I have a 7 year old, spastic monkey sleeping in my bed, it's not the same.  I miss the warmth and comfort only his daddy can provide.

Thankfully, I only have 24 more hours to go.

Instagram pics

Empty train in Tokyo.

Traditional Japanese New Year's food prepared for me by my friend on New Year's day.

My family and I on New Year's day visiting a shrine in Ome, Tokyo, Japan. 

I drive over this bridge every Friday on my way to teach in Hino, Tokyo, Japan.

Here is a glimpse of my world in Japan.

Our new home...maybe

This week we were notified that we MIGHT be moving to a small town in central Georgia.  The paperwork hasn't gone through, yet, but Husband is convinced we will be moving there.  Let's just say I am less than excited.  In fact, I would rather stay here and endure earthquakes, tsunamis, radiation, typhoons, volcanoes, and floods than move to a small town in the middle of nowhere.

I was hoping Husband would be transferred somewhere in Texas, where we could be closer to our friends and family members, but it seems we will have to spend another 2-3 years away from our peeps.

I know.  I know.  I should be thankful I'm moving back to America, but I ain't.  I know Japan.  I know this area of Japan, and I love it.  I have everything I need here, and I'm happy here.  I've spent the last 4 1/2 years getting to know this wonderful country and its people.  I've gotten used to life here in Japan.  Jude doesn't even remember living in America.  We moved here one month after Jude's 3rd birthday, and he's forgotten about his home in Texas.  To him, Japan is his home.  He, too, doesn't want to leave this extraordinary land.

I'm not saying Georgia, USA is bad.  I'm just saying that I don't care for small town living.  I prefer big cities.  Remember, I'm from Houston, Texas--the most awesomest place in Texas.  I like big cities because they provided you with so many options, and I like options.

But I know I don't have a choice in the matter.  That's how my life works.  I gave up everything to marry my husband and follow him around the world, and it's a choice I don't regret; however, I wish Georgia wasn't on my mind.

Letter to Santa

Jude:  "Hey mom, I'm going to write a letter to Santa and tell him exactly what I want for Christmas."

Weenie:  "Great idea.  And what exactly do you want for Christmas?"

Jude:  "Well, I want a Death Star Planetarium and a mummy...a Chinchorro Mummy to be exact."

Weenie:  "Sweetheart, Santa and his elves make toys, and if you are a good boy you'll get your Death Star Planetarium.  But Santa does not go around killing people and mummifying them so he can deliver them to you under your Christmas tree.  Mummies are dead people, and Santa will not bring you your very own mummy, no matter how many times you ask for one.  And Santa will not go and take a Chinchorro mummy from a museum and give it to you for Christmas."

Jude:  "But I've been a really good boy!"

Weenie:  "I know, you've been an excellent boy.  But Santa makes toys not mummies!"

Jude:  "That sucks!  I guess when I grow up I'll have to be a curator of a mummy museum."

Weenie:  "Now that sounds like a good idea."

Dinner at my place

Okay, so I live in Japan.  Duh!  So, you probably think I eat raw fish everyday along with miso soup and rice.  Well, you'd be wrong.  Even though I live in Japan, I still eat typical American food most days.  I try to give my kid all the comforts of home by creating delicious American staples.

Last night for dinner I made fresh artisan (no knead) bread and beef stew.

I started the bread around 1:30 PM.  I mixed the flours (2 cups unbleached white and 1 cup whole wheat), 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons rosemary infused olive oil,  1 1/2 cups warm water and 1 1/2 teaspoons of quick rising yeast, and I let everything rise.

This is what it looks like after you mix all the ingredients together.   It's a sticky, gooey mess!

After you mix up all the yummy goodness, you let it sit for about 2 hours.  After that, you remove it from the bowl and flour it, folding it on itself about 5 times.  Then, you let it rise another 2 hours.

This is what it will look like sitting on your counter rising.  

After is rises, prepare your cooking vessel.  I use my Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker (DCB) for this particular recipe.  I coat the DCB with olive oil and place it in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes.  Then, when the DCB is really hot, I dump in the dough.  I bake the dough for 30 minutes covered and then 10 minutes uncovered.

This is the final product.

When the bread is baking in the oven, your house will smell amazing!  It's like the bread is teasing you the entire time it's in the oven.  So once the bread is out, we usually devour the whole thing.  I usually pair the bread with a dipping oil, but last night I made beef stew.

Sorry the picture isn't that great, but I was too hungry to screw with the camera.  And please excuse the bowl.  I don't normally eat out of my kid's dishes, but I didn't want to eat too much beef stew, knowing I was about to eat half a loaf of bread. 

Here's a picture of my kid chowing down on his yummy, home cooked, American style dinner.  I tried to get him to smile at the camera, but he was too busy eating.