Monday, October 31, 2011

Hi World


Surprise!! ...we've got some explaining to do....check back tomorrow....:)

Happy Halloween

Halloween is almost over here in Japan. I can't say that we did much today or over the weekend since Ten has been crazy busy at work. However, we did the best we could. :)


First, we were so happy to get a Halloween card in the mail from my grandma!! She is the best about sending us cards during the holidays. It means a lot since we are so far away from everyone, and because it makes the holidays feel a little bit more like they do at home.


Very cute and glittery...

Also, I bought these brownies at National Azabu right before it closed. They were a bit too sweet for me, but Ten seemed to like them.


Finally, our Halloween themed food for the evening.


Halloween themed pasta. I bought this quite a while ago, and I didn't want to just dump sauce on it...so...I had some leftover stuff...and decided to make a pasta salad.


We'll definitely be eating this for the next day or so...hahaha. Anyway, I'm hoping to get some cute pics of my nephew in his costume, but I hear that he is really sick...poor guy... :( ... But I hope that everyone in the Americas has a great Halloween today!!


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The Jitters

I sure do have a serious case of them, and I can't wait for the next 24 hours to be over with.


Let's see, first, Ten is now at the airport getting ready to board his plane to Hong Kong. I get so paranoid that he will have a tough time making it to his hotel. Now, this isn't completely unwarranted. Flashback to the time we were in South Korea and he swore that we didn't need cash. We ended up getting stuck on top of a small mountain with no money for a taxi....and no knowledge of Korean. Luckily, with the help of a lovely Korean woman, we made it back to our hotel many hours later....and he still hasn't learned his lesson.


Also, tomorrow I am off to the hospital...alone. For nothing particularly serious, but I will have to get some blood work done as well as have a consultation with a doctor. This alone is never a fun experience, but add on the fact that it is in a foreign country where I can't speak the language....yes, exciting! Now, the doctor can speak relatively decent English, so I'm not too worried about that part. It is the nurses who I am worried about, and well you always spend more time with the nurses.


Usually they start out with English but end up giving up and switching to Japanese. This is where Ten steps in as translator. Now tomorrow...I will not have this additional help, so I think we will have to struggle on in both languages and hope there aren't too many misunderstandings....and trust me there will be quite a few. The last time I was alone, there was a bit of confusion over the doctor I was requesting...oh well, it's not like anything life threatening can happen from this...will just have to make it through.


Anyway, so going to spend the rest of the night tracking Ten on my phone and waiting for him to call me...psycho?....maybe a tad.





Sunday, October 23, 2011

Weekend Recap

Loved the weekend...though nothing too exciting happened...hehehe.


Let's see on Friday night, I made gyoza and sukiyaki for dinner. Ten was in love with my gyoza (yes I did an awesome job), and I made them again on Saturday...had to get rid of the leftover filling and skins...


We also spent a really quiet Saturday which was nice....recently Ten is on a bit of a classical music kick, so he played music while I graded papers and he studied for his training coming up in Hong Kong. He also went to Book Off and sold some old magazines. I'm really amazed with what they will buy there...I mean old magazines? who would buy those? especially since they are in English...don't get it, but good for us...:)


Let's see...and then on Sunday I discovered the most wonderful thing...indeed I can watch my home team in the World Series on TV here....we were glued to the TV for like 4 hours....and we were so psyched to see Pujols hit all of his homers!! We also got addicted to the show "Sister Wives." Polygamists are intriguing really....as far as that family goes....it looks like it can work. I asked Ten what he thought about having multiple wives, and he was totally creeped out by it....sigh of relief...hahaha...


Anyway, today I am trying to catch up on cleaning and have to start packing for Ten's trip tomorrow...not looking forward to him being gone for the next four days...but it is actually quite short. 


P.S....my sister says hi!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Renewed Sense of Energy

Well I hope that this random streak of motivation will continue, but who knows. So, I have decided to take on a few projects right now, and I might be over committing myself. However, I'm highly confident that everything will get done....


So, where is this energy coming from, and what are these projects you might be wondering....fair enough.


I think that I now feel super organized with my iPhone. I was always a stickler for pen and paper. My planner was my best friend, but now I'm wondering if I was just wasting a lot of time organizing my planner and making it look pretty...?? Anywho, so the iPhone has organized me and made everything feel manageable....Thank you so much to Ten for convincing me to get one!!


Secondly, what is it that I'm taking on...well I'll touch on a few topics here but not go into too much detail...because well I will post on them later.


1. Helping the needy during the holiday season...I am trying to coral my massive family together in order to help out others this season. So far I've been so impressed with how quickly some have responded...such an important thing to do.


2. Small (read huge...and could take years) family project with my mom and grandma...still waiting on my grandma to finish the first part....hmmm...better remind her...she's been known to slack....hahaha


3. Planning my mom's trip this winter....slowly making progress.


4. Blog stuff in the works...have some good ideas of what I want to post...including a giant list of goals....have seen this on several blogs and will link up where appropriate.


5. Me and Ten also have several private family goals...many are in the works...and hopefully when we get some good news I will be able to share them openly...wouldn't want to jinx anything...hahaha...


6. Also, some mandatory, boring things that I must finish...will post on those too I'm sure.


Anyway, I'm so looking forward to spending the rest of the year working on worthwhile projects!!





Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Heaven

As I just recently posted, I haven't been feeling the best. But I found that this strange combo very temporarily helps settle my stomach.


Cheese flavored crackers and tangerine/orange juice...in love.

In other news, my mom has ever so kindly reminded me that she will be arriving in Japan in 10 weeks...and I have yet to plan anything for her....hahaha....I still have time, but I understand her excitement.

Also, my apartment looks like a disaster. I am completely behind on everything!!!! Hopefully I will snap out of it soon... :)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

One Liner or Two

Dear Blog Friends:


It seems I have a mild case of the flu and not all that up to blogging. I will be up and running again soon...hopefully...but don't give up on me yet.☺

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Entering the 21st Century

Today Ten and I headed over to Musashi-Koyama to look around the shopping arcade there. It's only about a 25 minute walk from our apartment, so we thought we would just head on over for an hour or so.


I loved this place. There are tons of great shops including a small foreign supermarket and lots of stationary stores....and this made me laugh....

Is the colonel dressed in drag? Why yes, yes he is.

But the big news of the day was the unexpected purchase that we made....and here it is....


Yes my friends, Ten and I have finally entered the world of smart phones. It was about time. Since he leaves for Hong Kong in a couple of weeks, I wanted to be able to talk to him while he is there....so here was our solution. I'm much more excited about my phone that I thought possible....hahahaha. The truth is I have absolutely no idea how to use it, so will be playing around with it for the next few days. Also, while my phone number is still the same....my email address is not. So, to all of my friends, I will be contacting you shortly..... :)

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Food from Fukuoka

So, this morning we received another package!! Yay!




I was quite surprised by how much stuff was put into this small box. Here's what we got...thanks again to Ten's mom :) .....


Croissants.... 

Egg Drop Soup

....and lots of vegetables and fruit!!!


We are trying to avoid eating food from around our area as much as possible (because of that pesky radiation)...and it can get expensive buying stuff from other parts of Japan...so Ten's mom was nice enough to send us this box of vegetables....lifesaver.


Also, I have been wanting to eat "American-style Chinese food" for a very long time now...so today...I decided to make my own....


Can you tell what I'm making?


How about now?





Crab Rangoon....yummm

Oh my god!! I am in heaven because they surprisingly taste just like the kind at restaurants....This may become a weekly thing until I get it out of my system. If anyone is interested in the recipe...just leave a comment, and I will do another post!!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Random Tidbits

So, here are a few random bits from the past week:

  • I found out the National Azabu supermarket will be closing for the next year....really sad about this since this is one of the only places in Tokyo where you can buy several types of foreign food....but super expensive. One box of macaroni and cheese for close to $4.
  • Went to the bakery today and grabbed a loaf of this white, cheesy bread...love this stuff...even better was when the staff brought out a freshly baked one for me instead of the one I picked up from the shelf... :)... I have a feeling in the U.S. this wouldn't have happened.
  • Woke up today and realized that I haven't done laundry in like a week...shocking...I don't know how I forgot, but with the weather so cool out it is hard to get it done all in one day....scratch that....impossible.
  • Thinking about the holidays this year and what we want to do. So far here is the plan:
    • Halloween - decorations and Halloween pasta. Possibly parade in Omotesando.
    • Thanksgiving - doing take out from Roti in Roppongi or maybe going to the restaurant and having a proper sit down dinner....hmmm....not planning on cooking this year.
    • Christmas - to exchange gifts or not to, not sure about this year, but need to go shopping for my nephew at least....may do Christmas cards??...and thinking of doing dinner Japanese style (you know KFC and cake)...maybe see the Nutcraker or go to a Christmas concert also....but simple is best this year.
    • New Year's - My family will be in Japan for this, so going to go all out this year...traditional decorations, toshikoshi soba, countdown at Zozoji, Hatsumode (maybe tackle Meiji Jingu for this .... maybe), and then a trip to Disney so they can see the characters dressed up in kimono and everything...should be fun.
Lot's to think about.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Help Please

Ten booked his flight to Hong Kong today and is going to be gone from October 25- October 28....Tuesday to Friday...sigh....

It's for business, of course, but usually I tag along on his trips. This time I've been sidelined, so I have no idea what I will do with myself on the 26th, 27th, and 28th. I really hate to think about being at home all day by myself...not having to really do any cooking, and I definitely won't have to do too much cleaning. Boredom will definitely set in. Also, I'm really disappointed to not be able to visit Hong Kong since I've never been.... :(

Some things that I'd like to do though are buy a new planner for next year, eat at a buffet restaurant, and do some shopping....to be honest, what else do people do in Tokyo besides go shopping....?

Anyway, if anyone has any tips or ideas on things to do over those three days....would be much appreciated.


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

So Grateful!!

Warning: If you don't want to read about disgusting bodily functions, please stop reading now....with that being said....you will probably continue reading.


Before I start my gross story...I will start with something else. So, I will say that in Japan there isn't much room for extreme couponing, but Ten pulled off his own version last night...well...on a much, much smaller scale.


When he went to the bookstore yesterday, he got a coupon for 50 yen off...nice...especially since some books only cost like 52 yen. So, what did he do? He bought a book for 2 yen and turned around and sold it back to them for 50 yen...making a grand total of 48 yen...that's my man...and trust me we totally believe in the idea that every penny counts.


Anyway, so this story is also about the amazingness of my husband, and the setting is.....in the shower.


Around 9 a.m., after eating breakfast pizza, we decided to jump into the shower. Now as I was putting conditioner in my hair and Ten was washing his face, something terrible happened....I started puking that lovely breakfast pizza up and onto the floor and into the drain. Yes, I know, disgusting.....but couldn't be helped.


He immediately opened the door, and I thought for sure he was going to bolt...I mean I wouldn't blame him..."it was pretty intense" to quote him...hahaha...But no, he didn't run instead he opened the door to let air in and handed me my tooth brush and angled the shower head to flush out the...shall we say not so digested pizza....repeat same scenario again about five minutes later.


Anyway, I was so extremely thankful to him at that moment and for the rest of the day because that showed true dedication...hahaha...he seriously deserves an award.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Out with the old....in with the ramen?

So, today Ten and I headed over to the Book Off (used book shop) in Gotanda to try to unload some of our books. I think we sold about 8 or 9 books and got paid a grand total of...wait are you ready?....350 yen (or about $4.50)...hahahaha. I was just relieved that they took all of them. Before I would just give my books away...or even worse throw them out....so making any money at all is GREAT!! We were so happy with our 350 yen...hahaha.


Also, we found out that tomorrow they are having a half off sale on all English books...yay!!....50 yen for a book ($0.65), can't beat that. We will probably go and buy the same amount of books that we sold....so, so much for getting rid of stuff....:(....but who can pass up that deal...really....especially since we checked the prices of the books on Amazon...and they are cheaper to buy at Book Off...


And now....here is maybe my most favorite ramen shop...loved this place....


This type of ramen comes from Ten's hometown, and it was our first time to try this place together....and worth waiting in line....




I loved all of the toppings that are at your table that you can add to the ramen...I didn't snap pics of all of them, but here are the ones that we love.


Ginger and Garlic Cloves
Spicy Takana (mustard greens)...Ten's favorite
Spicy Bean Sprouts...my favorite

And then after waiting for a few minutes....out came our ramen....heavenly.....


Slices of pork with spice, green onion, noodles, and more
....with toppings...

We also got greedy and ordered gyoza (dumplings) and Ten got a noodle refill (kaedama)...hahaha...but that was long gone before I could take a pic.



After eating, we walked back home and used YouTube to do karaoke....one of our guilty pleasures....hahahaha....and we are terrible....and the neighbors probably think was are nuts (especially since we dance with the blinds wide open)....but we have a lot of fun... :)

Friday, October 7, 2011

Elephants and Germans

Last night, I had maybe the most vivid dream I have ever had in my life. Let me share. 

I was driving the car I used in high school (a white Chevy Beretta - aka Great White) down a gravel road. Well I took a turn down a hill, and was driving through the greenest forest that I have ever seen in my life. I then got to a pond, and the field turned into a field of the most brilliant yellow wheat. There was an elephant walking slowly toward me. He must have been the most gentle elephant that I have ever seen. 

I then started to round the pond when I entered a field of blue irises. They were the most beautiful irises I have ever seen. In the irises there was a giant water buffalo....and of course he was the strongest, most beautiful water buffalo. All of the animals were so gentle and were communicating something to me through their eyes....and then I woke up. 

First, I would like to say that I did not ingest any drugs (that I know of) before going to sleep...hahaha....but you know they say that you should imagine a peaceful place when you get stressed out, well indeed I have found mine. I will never forget this dream.

Okay, so enough of the crazy talk. Tonight for dinner we tried some of this seasoning that we picked up while we were in Germany. We had no idea what it was, but it looked easy to make....pictures follow.

No idea what it translates to, but pretty good...tastes like stuffed peppers

We had no idea what you eat this with, so we just did our own thing.

that's right...cornbread....hahaha

Tomato and Avocado Salad...my favorite...better with artichoke hearts though

...and shared a golden pear for dessert...mmm.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Tidbits

Okay so here are a few random pieces of information from the past week....maybe I'll make this into a regular Wednesday thing.



  • Finally finished season 2 of Glee...yes behind, but we do live in Japan.
  • I almost talked Ten into going to Disney this coming weekend. I could hear the sound of my argument breaking him down in his voice, but actually I didn't want to really go. I kind of just liked the idea of going, if that makes sense, so I gave up.
  • We bought the most enormous package of sausages...which do not look appetizing at all...so Ten has been eating them for lunch and dinner....half way gone...but feel bad for him.
  • My apartment has barely been cleaned this week and is in much need of some T.L.C.
  • Walked to Gotanda last weekend and found a shop that sells ramen....Fukuoka style (or as Ten says, the only real kind of ramen)...may try it out this coming weekend.... :)
  • Finally, I may have made a comment to Ten blaming low income bracket people for the financial crisis and recession....moment of temporary insanity...maybe...but hey I own up to it at least, so don't judge.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The city so nice they named it twice :)

Recently, I've had a lot of thoughts running through my mind, but the main one that keeps coming back is: New York.

I have no idea why, but I have such a strong urge to move to NYC. The strange thing is I've never ever been there. I've been to a lot of major cities, but never to this one.

I keep imagining Ten and I moving there and eating hot dogs from dirty street vendors, going to baseball games and musicals, visiting Times Square, and fighting off muggers. L-O-V-E.

So, the question is: is this a possibility? Absolutely. Every year we get a centimeter and a half closer to this goal, so maybe one day, eventually we can go. For those of you who don't know, my husband works at an international investment bank, so the opportunity is very real.

Now, I absolutely do love living in Japan. I love the food and how safe it is, but there is an energy that is missing here. To be honest, I'm getting tired of how predictable things are. Also, Ten would be the first to tell you that he would love to get out of here. So no problems there. Just have to keep on keepin' on as Curtis Mayfield says (love that song!!).

Sigh. Anyway, that is all for today....

P.S. I would kill someone for some good chili cheese fries...dang I wish Wendy's still existed here. : (


Sunday, October 2, 2011

Baseball and Fall

Cute isn't it? We saw this display at a flower shop today when we were out shopping. It seems like every year, Halloween gets a little bit bigger in Japan. 

Anyway, we were so sad today when we found out that we wouldn't be able to watch the Yankees game this weekend because of the time difference. Not quite sure that waking up at 4 a.m. is worth it....grr...hopefully, we will be able to catch at least one post season game....hopefully.... I would love to go to New York next summer to watch a weekend full of baseball....or in the winter to see all of the Christmas lights....pretty much anytime would be great!

Also, today's weather was cool enough to actually wear long sleeves. Yay! So, we had a fall like dinner to get into the season.



Pork chops, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, and fried apples. I added vanilla extract to the apples along with butter, cinnamon, and ginger...they were soo good....may make them again tomorrow!!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Surprises

When I opened my inbox today, I had this inside....

Kahori, Marina, and myself...lunch yesterday

So glad that Marina was able to send me this picture, and then an hour or so later the doorbell rang....and we got this...


Ten's mom sent us a package! It's always fun getting stuff in the mail, so what did she send us?

Snacks

Miso Soup
Rice
Prune extract
...and more rice

As much as she can drive me crazy, she is really great about sending us stuff...I haven't had to buy miso soup since we've moved to Japan...hahaha.

Finally, last picture for the day....me and Ten decided to make pizza tonight....first time since we moved back from London....

Chicken, olive, onion, and pineapple...good to us...hahaha
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