Hurricane Sandy

Our view of the Hudson River on Monday morning. This was the only picture that I could take before we got to about zero visibility.

I really hate to disappoint those looking for a dramatic tale...well actually maybe not...but for us Sandy was a huge wind and rain storm. Unfortunately I can't say the same for those in lower Manhattan and other areas of New York...but hopefully things will be up and running again soon.

Before Sandy got here...we did our absolute best to prepare (lessons learned from the March 11 earthquake). Ten was out getting some canned goods, stocking up on our normal groceries, getting water, buying matches, and doing all of the laundry... great guy yes I know!

The subway was closed, so he was forced to work from home while me and Mia did our usual activities. Things were pretty calm during the day...and after Ten was finished with work...we decided to try to make the atmosphere as light as possible.

We had a simple lunch of taco rice... yes... even though we aren't in Japan we still eat this. If you can't guess what it is...it is taco seasoned chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, black beans, salsa, and shredded cheesed served on rice...yumm.

Later in the day...we decided it was pumpkin carving time! It was so much fun with our little helper....but pics of Jack later.

After carving, we of course roasted the seeds...and Ten loved them. I coated them in olive oil, seasoning salt, and cayenne pepper before popping them into the oven for 45 minutes....yummmm.

Anyway, we aren't sure when the city will be fully up and running yet...and once again I want to emphasize how lucky we really are...I mean so many people are without power and some are stranded in flooded areas... but until we are off of house arrest here...we are going to carry on as usual.

Happy Half Birthday!!

Dear Mia,

Happy Half Birthday!!...and yes...you even got a gift...daddy couldn't help himself :)

You have been up to all kinds of new things this past month. You have even rolled over! You also love holding onto your feet and ears. These may be your favorite toys yet.

This past month you have given up sucking on your thumb...you just decided one day that you were over it. You also don't like to be left alone...not even for a second...oh dear!

These days you love songs and books, so you are really enjoying your Japanese Mommy & Me class as well as Book Babies at the library. Everyone always comments on what a smiley, happy baby you are...and it is so true...except when it comes to nap time :-/ You have also started eating solid foods this month, and you are loving it all. We have tried okayu, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, onion, dashi, peaches, and apples...and you have eaten it all without a complaint. You are really such an easy baby.

Dearest Mia, your smile really does light up our days and fills our hearts.

We love you deeply,

Your Mom and Dad

                                                          

 

Hi again....

Well after fighting with my phone for what feels like forever, I have come to accept that this will be a photo less blog until I get my Internet up and running...so no 6 month Mia post right now...you will probably see it sometime next month instead.

There has been so much going on I don't know where to start. Our apartment is slowly coming together. We just have to get our cracked headboard replaced, be moved up on the bicycle waiting list, get a TV, and hook up cable/Internet....sounds like a lot...but this list is much shorter than last month's.

To give you a quick rundown of what we have been up to...where to start...?

Okay, so we have finally decided that we will be living on the Upper West Side for the time being... and I have no major complaints. We are right by Riverside Park and a 10 minute walk to Central Park...so that is super nice.

One question that everyone asks is if I will work now that I am back in the U.S....and the answer is no...for as long as we can afford it...my main job will be taking care of our family :) ...but I did get asked to be an assistant for a professor for the next month of so... so that will be the extent of my work for the moment...and it should only take a few hours  a week...not bad.

I have been reading like a maniac....I am in love with the New York Public Library because they seriously have every book you can imagine... so Facebook friends... sorry if you are bombarded with my updates from Good Reads...but I cannot help myself.

Mia has been doing all kinds of new things recently and folks she even rolled over...once...but hey she did it. On Mondays I take her to the library for Book Babies which is basically song and story time. On Thursday she goes to a music class which is just absolutely amazing...they let her bang and chew on all of the instruments...and I am very confident she will have an appreciation for music in just a few short years. Fridays we go to  a Japanese class...which she loves!...and finally we have swim lessons on Saturdays...now we have already gotten comments that this sounds crazy for a six month old... but she really enjoys all of the activities... and you can never start some of these things too early really.

Finally we have definitely been discovering all things Japanese in Manhattan. We go to Sunrise Mart for our grocery needs...and you can pretty much by everything there....kind of. We have been to Kinokuniya near Time Square...and it also has everything!!!...but it is so different at the same time. Very clean and much quieter compared to the one in Shinjuku. We've also checked out Ippudo...but didn't eat there since it was not a ramen kind of day.

Anyway, that is a quick look at what we have been up to...I can't wait to get back to blogging regularly. Also, I am still reading blogs too but haven't had the chance to comment!! So, thanks everyone for continuing to stop by :)

Still Here

I have NOT given up on blogging...but am currently blogging challenged right now due to a lot of different factors. So here is a rundown of life as we know it.

• My laptop is on it's last leg....so waiting to hookup desktop so I will have full PC access...and we have no Internet at the moment....so using my newly hooked up cell phone for all things at the moment....not convenient.
• We have ordered a ton of furniture from IKEA, and it won't be here until Oct 16...so we will continue to live like squatters until then... sucks really.
• Mia has started on solid foods...and she is loving it!! We have so far given her bananas, peas, and okayu (rice porridge)...and she has loved all of it!! We've also decided to follow the Japanese way for introducing solids since it is well balanced. For example, this weekend she will be eating tofu and okayu...yumm.
• This weekend we will be heading to Mitsuwa in NJ for all of our Japanese grocery needs...and we are excited!!
• Hmm...I guess that is all for now. But hopefully I can start making regular posts again soon.

If there are tons of auto corrects....please forgive me.