Thankful Thursday #2

Today I'm thankful for my thumbs!  Because if I didn't have them, wiping my ass would be really hard!

What are you thankful for?

Monday Mommy Tip #1

I'm a little obsessive compulsive.  I like it that way.  And being obsessive compulsive has made me a very organized mom!  So, I've decided to share my mommy tips with you.

Tip #1:  Always keep a notepad and pen or dry/erase board  on your fridge to use as a grocery list.  That way, when you use up all the milk or eggs or pasta you have, you can write it down on your handy-dandy list, located conveniently next to you, staring at you in the face, on your fridge.  And, if others use all the butter or cereal, they have a place to write down what is needed, too.  When you and your family do this, you always know what you need to buy from the grocery store.  You don't have to guess.  And, before you go grocery shopping, make sure to take the list with you.  Then, you only buy what you need.  

****Keep in mind, this only works if everyone in your household participates.  If your husband/boyfriend/significant other/child/roommate refuse to oblige with your new grocery list system, I advise you beat them senseless until they are willing to participate.  

Onsen trip

In a couple of weeks, we'll be headed to the Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Hot Spring Amusement Park and Spa.  It's basically a water park and spa where you can soak in different baths.  Japanese people believe visiting onsens (a Japanese hot spring pool) promotes healthy living and is an excellent way to feel rejuvenated and relaxed.

Here are some of the pools I'll be soaking in:

Wine spa!  Yum!

Green tea spa!

Sake spa!

This is going to be a great adventure!  I can't wait!  And don't worry, I'll take my underwater camera and post the pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Obsessed

Okay, I'm obsessed with earthquakes.  Oh, wait!  Maybe it's the other way around.  Maybe all these earthquakes are making me obsessed.  Whatever!  All I know is that each moment of everyday since March 11, 2011, earthquakes have infiltrated my life and made me more anxious, nervous and obsessed than before.

Each time I sit down in my apartment, in any chair, I sit waiting to feel movement.  And when I do feel a rumble under my rump, I jump up, scared shitless, and then hurry to my nearest internet device to check on the location of the epicenter, the magnitude of the quake, and how severe my location felt it.

Before March 11th, earthquakes were kind of cool.  They were little jolts that reminded me that I lived in Japan.  They were small, insignificant and almost fun.  But now, things have changed.  Obviously!  Now, with each small quake, my mind immediately rushes to the events that occurred on March 11th.  I remember the terror I felt as Jude and I sat under our dining room table, listening to the walls around us shake, watching as pictures fell and as our building swayed and jolted.  I remember the fear in my son's eyes as he cried hysterically, asking me if we were going to die.  I remember our mad dash down 5 stories, holding on to the railings, trying not to get separated as others in our building fled, wondering if our building was going to collapse around us.  All of that flashes through my mind when I feel the slightest movement under me.

I know for some people around me, the March 11 earthquake was a non-event--a short shaking sensation they felt before they quickly darted out of their homes or office buildings.  But for Jude and I and countless others who were in high rise buildings at the time, we had a completely different experience.   Completely different!

My Japanese friends tell me that I'll eventually get used to the shaking.  They keep assuring me that it will become a normal part of life in Tokyo, Japan.  Maybe for them this is normal, but for a midget, Mexican momma from Texas, this will never be normal!  Never!

Thankful Thursday #1

I'm so thankful for all I have, and I've decided to share my thankfulness with you on Thursdays, hence Thankful Thursdays.  So, let's begin.

I'm thankful Husband has an awesome job that allows us to travel the world.  In a time when so many are unemployed and experiencing financial hardship, I feel even luckier that Husband has a secure job that pays our bills, gives us medical insurance, and allows me to be a half-ass stay-at-home mom.  For that, I'm so incredibly thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

Instagram

So, I downloaded a new iPhone app. called Instagram.  It allows you to take pictures with your iPhone and then add cool filters to them.  Here a few pictures I posted yesterday.

Ome City.

Tachikawa. 

High Diver. 

 So, what do you think?

Pissed

The stock market sucks, I'm pissed, but this makes me laugh and cringe.  Enjoy!

 

Just Monkeying Around

What you missed

Here are a few pictures I took during our summer vacation.  Enjoy!

Jude and Felix fishing off my dad's boat dock in Texas.  

Princess (BJ's daughter).  

Jude, looking out the window, during our cruise to the mother land.  

My family and our running buddy friends from North Texas (on the cruise).

At the Star Wars exhibit at the Houston Museum of Health and Science.  

Somewhere between Texas and California.  

Husband and Jude at the beach in Texas. 

Hello again!

Sorry for the long period of silence, but I was busy traveling.  Now that we are back home in Japan, and I've returned to my usual schedule, I've decided to start blogging again.  I'm glad you stuck around!  Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto!