2,000 hits!

Today my blog has been visited over 2,000 times! Whoo-hoo! I feel special...not special like drooling on myself or wearing adult diapers special, but special like someone actually wants to hear what I have to say.

Thanks again to my loyal readers out there that have to get their "Weenie" fix regularly. Ooh, wait...that didn't come out right...I mean...thanks to my loyal readers who check out my blog on a regular bases.

Domo arigato gozaimasu!!! (That means thank you very much in Japanese.)

Too damn nice!

Okay, I'm typically not a nice person...I can admit that. I talk about people and I typically only do things if they benefit ME is some way. But lately I've been doing really nice things for other people. I'm not sure what has come over me??!! I'm sure...looking at it from the outside...it just appears that I'm a nice, sweet, doting mom who is willing to help others out....but, I'm not that! I'm not nice! I don't claim to be kind or sweet or any of those things, but my actions lately would make you think otherwise. I would hate to give people the wrong impression...that I'm a nice, helpful, decent human being. Lord knows I ain't!

These are a few of the "nice" things I've done this week: I've been taking Jude's friend to school because her mom just had another baby, I took care of my friend's kid while she was at the doctor (Jude was at school--so, it was just me and the kid for a few hours), and I volunteered my time to babysit 14 kids so some moms could get together for a meeting.

If someone had just met me this week, they would be getting the wrong idea about me. They would think I'm a nice person who does nice things. So, I better quit being so damn nice or people are going to start expecting "nice" things from me...and I would hate to disappoint them.

Phew, it seems that all this niceness is causing me to feel really uncomfortable, and it's a lot of work. I'm certainly not accustomed to it...that's for sure!





So, off I go...to be bitter, bitchy, opinionated and foul mouthed!

Coughing up a lung!

So, this morning, as promised, I got up at 5 A.M. and ran about 4 miles with my running buddies. It was cool and crisp out this morning. But, again my bunk ass lungs would not cooperate! I coughed and coughed. It was like I was choking on giant lung cookies! Luckily, I had my inhaler and took a few puffs. After my inhaler, I was good and ready to run another 4 miles. As you know, my inhaler is like speed--it's a stimulant that opens up my bronchial tubes so I can breath, but it also makes me hyper. So, I felt great after the run.

Thank God for modern drugs!

Just another day in Weenie's World!

Couch Potato!!

This is how I look and feel!!

Okay, maybe I'm not that round, yet!

This past week I felt like doodoo! I caught Jude's cold and it's been causing me hell for the past 9 days. I've got this phlegm filled cough like a smoker with emphysema. I sound horrible, and I'm sore from hocking up giant loogies. So, needless to say, I didn't run all week. In fact, I missed my very important 6 mile run this weekend. I feel like such a schlep. I wanted to run, but my bunk ass lungs just wouldn't cooperate. So, I did no physical activity for a whopping 9 days. I swear I can feel my ass spreading right now!! But, I am feeling a little bit better today, and my cough isn't quite as violent as it has been. So, tomorrow I'm setting my alarm and going to go run...no matter what. I can't get behind on my official "Official" marathon training...I'll never be able to catch up!

So, wish me luck!

Why do I open my mouth???!!!

So, when Husband returned from his business trip last week, he gave me a beautiful necklace with a Jade pendant similar to the one shown here. There is a congi character or writing on it that says happiness or good health or some crap.

Anywho, it's really pretty so I wore it the other day. I even wore a low cut shirt to showcase my pretty new necklace my sweet husband bought for me while he was away. So, when I was at the grocery store, I saw a casual American friend of mine. (By casual, I mean we see each other everywhere and always say 'hi' and that's all.) I don't know here well, but we always greet each other and all that jazz. So, this was our conversation:

I said, "Hi, how are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks," she replied.

"Boy, I wish this would rain would stop," I casually mentioned to her.

"I know what you mean," she replied nicely.

"I thought the rainy season was over," I said with a fake laugh as I pulled my hair back to get it off my sweaty neck.

"Ooh, I like your necklace...that's really pretty!" she said.

"Oh, thanks...my husband bought it for me on a recent business trip," I replied.

"Can you read it....what does it say?" she asked in a sweet, harmless voice.

"Sex Goddess!" I replied.

Her eyes got as big as billiard balls when she heard my response. She was obviously shocked by my answer. I saw her eyes bulge and then she blinked compulsively for about 3 seconds. I could tell she was not in a comfortable place. So, I just smiled and walked off. As I walked away, I grimaced and said to myself 'why on earth would you say that?' Jeez, I can't go anywhere without saying something absurd! Lord help those around me!

Just another day in Weenie's World!

The Texans!

These are the Texans. They moved to Japan on the same day as us. In fact, we were on the same plane together. They remind me of all the good things about Texas. They are kind hearted folks and welcoming in every way. Mr. Texan will open a door for anyone and help strangers carry heavy things. (You never see that in Japan!) He reminds me of Texas Chivalry. If he wore a cowboy hat (and I don't think he does), I'm sure he would tip it to any person in a friendly 'Hello.' Just seeing Mr. Texan in blue jeans reminds me of Texas. Even though Mrs. Texan isn't from Texas, she's still Texan through marriage. And, technically that makes her a Texan and a good friend of mine! They are a great family with the cutest little girls! Watch out Mr. Texan, you better get that shot gun ready! You've got 2 little heart breakers on your hands!





They are kindhearted, uncomplicated, loving, welcoming people. I'm so glad we met them. In their presence I feel safe and at home.



Being here in Japan can be difficult at times. It's a foreign land to me. But, these people have truly made it feel like home...Thanks Texans!

Birthday Party at School!

Here are pictures from Jude's school birthday party. Enjoy!

(Look at Jude's cheesy half-ass smile!)

(Again, Jude with a silly half smile!)

(Cute kids, huh?!)

Happy birthday to my sweet Baby!

Move over Martha Stewart!

Watch out Martha, here comes the Brown Betty Crocker!

(Here are the cupcakes I made and decorated for Jude's birthday party at school.)

(Just to prove that I made the cupcakes, I took a picture of them naked.)

(Here are the 19 gift bags I prepared for Jude's classmates.)

Parent Teacher Conference...sorda!

Today was weird! I taught my adult class in Ome today. At the beginning of class, one of my older students, Tom (who's 77 years old), told me that his son was coming at noon to talk with me. I assumed Tom's son wanted to join the class...boy was I wrong! (I'm foreshadowing here, folks!!)



At 11:55, I saw the figure of a tall, long haired gentlemen standing at the door. I got Tom's attention and pointed at the door. It was Tom's son. He was the tallest Japanese man I had ever seen...probably about 6 foot 2 inches. I welcomed his son into the class and asked him very slowly if he wanted to say hello to the class. In perfect English he responds, "No thank you...I don't want to talk...I'm quite shy." I was completely taken back by his perfect English. He reminded me of a handsome Johnny Depp with long unmanageable hair and a goatee. He kept flipping his long salt and pepper hair from one side to the other. It was like a Pantene commercial. His locks flowed from side to side in slow motion...almost covering his eyes, yet allowing them to barely peek through. He looked very mysterious. He was dark skinned and his face looked weathered-- not like that of a 65 year old skinny old smoker lady who spent too much time in the sun....but weathered like James Dean. He was quite handsome, distinguished looking, and stunning. Tom had mentioned earlier that his son was a professional skier, and his skin showed it. Tom had also mentioned that his son was 50 years old. However, he didn't look it. Tom's son looked older and mature, but not 50. Again, he was striking...





So, Tom's son sat next to him, and I chatted with the other students briefly. As everyone filed out of the classroom, Tom's son said to me, "My father has been taking English class for almost 10 years now, and I have not seen much improvement in his English...can you please tell me what is your method of teaching and why?" I was stunned and dumbfounded by his question and long flipping hair. It was like I was being interrogated by Johnnny Depp. I wanted to giggle with glee, but somehow I remained calm. It struck me that I was having a Parent Teacher Conference except the parent wasn't a parent but a son-- an incredibly, tall, dashing, long haired, stunning 5o year old son that was making me hot. And, Tom just sat next to us looking bewildered and sad-- as if he were in the principal's office, and he had just been caught throwing spit balls. It was just so bizarre!





I explained to Tom's son what I had been teaching and my current method for English teaching. I apologized that his father hadn't learned much English in the last 10 years. But, I did mention that I had only been his teacher for the last 5 months or so. After a 15 minute conversation with his son, I felt relieved but like a moron. His son was able to articulate and express himself in words I hadn't heard since I read my last college text book. I was quite impressed. Then, right before we left, I gave him my e-mail address just in case he had any further questions or comments regarding his father's English education. When he saw my e-mail address, he asked me in Spanish if I knew Spanish. I replied back, "Claro que si!" Then, we began to have a casual conversation in Spanish. He spoke Spanish as if he had lived in Spain his entire life. It put me to shame! He rolled his R's and spoke every word perfectly. I truly felt like a coconut at that point. I explained to him that my parents never taught me Spanish and that I learned it in college. He could tell I was not a native Spanish speaker.


Shortly after our Spanish conversation, we parted ways. I had to pee really bad and dashed out the door to the toilet. As I was walking to my car, I saw them again and waved good-bye.



This was my first Parent Teacher Conference experience sorda!


Just another day in Weenie's World!


*****By the way, Husband edited this blog entry for me. Hee-hee!

Yuck!

Have you ever woken up unable to see? Have your eyes ever been crusted over with funk and sealed shut? Well, that's how my eyes were this morning. It seems that Jude gave me his cooties. Damn that boy! I guess with him coughing in my face and me wiping his snotty nose, it was inevitable that I caught his funk. I don't have fever (thank God), but I do have a runny/stuffy nose, giant loogies in my chest, watery eyes and a sore throat. Oh, did I mention that today is Jude's birthday??? That's right, the kid is 4 today! YEAH!! The only problem is...I have to make an appearance today at his school. His class is having a party today, and I have to go and help out. I usually love to do that sort of thing, but not today when my eyes are watery, and I'm hocking up phlegm like a 95 year old smoker. Plus, I hate to spread the funk to the other kids. But, it is too late to cancel. And, I hate to screw up his school schedule. So, off I go to Jude's school. However, one good thing is....I'm heavily medicated! I took lots of allergy/cold meds this morning, so I'm starting to feel better. Or, perhaps now I'm just slightly high, and I've simply forgotten about my cold symptoms. Man, I love modern medicine!

So, I will take tons of pictures of the party at school this afternoon and post them later. Please forgive me for having puffy eyes and a drippy nose!