gobble gobble gobble...

So...I learned something today: 

when you call your mom to wish her a Happy Thanksgiving and to get the scoop and report on the dinner that she had just finished eating with the rest of your family,

but...she's not home so you leave a message to call you back,

and then when the phone rings a little bit later,

you think it's her so, being the incredibly funny person that you are,

you answer the phone with a

"Gobble, gobble, gobble"......

you really need to keep in mind

that maybe....just maybe....

there is a good chance it won't be your mom,

instead a really shocked Japanese person who has no clue as to what you are doing will be on the other end.

Hey.

It could happen.

I'm just saying.

heh heh heh

I hope that, if you celebratedthe American holiday, you had a great day and that you were surrounded by the ones you love the most....

or at least by the ones you can stand to be with for the duration of the afternoon without

wanting to take one (or two!) down and put them in a headlock!!

Man.  I'm really kind of homesick now!!

(^_^)/*

And for the record....I'm very thankful for you...yes, you!!

Flattery.....Flamingo Friday style

I'm a huge fan of Eric Carle.

I mean, really....that whole Brown Bear thing?

Just wonderful.

And don't even get me started on that Hungry Caterpillar!!

The illustrations he uses in all of his books are just so very nice.

This...is one of my all-time favorite pictures:

*Google pictures*

The picture is so simple, yet.....I love it.

A few weeks ago, we went to the local museum and walked through the annual exhibit by the students at the area Art & Design High School.  I was incredibly impressed by the level of art that these high school kids did.  But...the one set of pictures that really got my attention had this particular picture.... right in the middle:

I love this.

I wrote on the questionnaire I filled out about our visit that I thought the artist

"captured the true feeling of Eric Carle and made it her own".

I may have written that I'd love to have a copy.  (^-^)/*

I'm not sure if the girls who read the questionnaire actually understood what I wrote, but....

I'm hoping that they did and that Karma is still on my side, because

that painting? Oh yeah...just one more thing that has MY NAME written all over it!!! 

Have a great Friday.

May you find something that you really, really  like....and if can't have it for yourself, I hope

you have your camera with you!!!

oh...and karma? yeah...debbie and earl believe in ya.....

Karma....

is the the belief that (according to various people over at the the coolest on-line dictionary ever) 

"all of your actions will have equal repercussions, affecting you".

Someone also said that

it is the "the law of cause and effect. From good living, we become a better person, gain greater inner peace and enjoy a good life".

And though  "what goes around comes around" is a great way of saying it,

one of my favorites is

 "smackdown of the Gods".

Karma.

She can be a bitch.

But.....

though we may not understand the way karma truly works, it's good to believe in her.

And if you believe in her, she will be nice....of this I am convinced.

I work hard.

I teach many classes all over the frickin' town and more often than not, with a smile on my face and a kind word for even the ones who piss me off the most.

I'm a good teacher and I know what I'm doing when it comes to doing my job.

I try to be a good wife, mom and friend...and though my house is about as far from perfectly clean as you can get...it's a nice place to visit and all are welcome.

I love my family (here and there) and my friends (both face-to-face and on-line).
(and various flavored coffees that come in sizes with Spanish names.)

The last few ten months have not been easy.  Due to circumstances beyond my control, life has been a bit difficult....challenging. 
Here in Japan, we have not been exempt from the daily woes and troubles that seem to be plaguing most of the world today. 

But....everyday...I'm smiling...doing my job...taking care of my family....doing the best I can...for I have faith that one day, this will all be worth it and the stress level that I seem to be stuck at, will be less.

Today was the last class of a short term...only 5 lessons.

The students were great and have decided to continue studying together.  A few weeks ago, one of my smaller classes, for one reason or another, decided to take a break and I found myself with a morning free and no students to teach.  (no students = no money.  ugh!)  Today, the new class decided that the morning I have free (the only time I have free) would work great for them for class.

When a door closes,

Karma (or God or Buddha or whoever you believe in)

opens another door...or in this case, a window.

And sometimes....

she brings good things to eat and enjoy!!!

*Steamed buns filled with delicious meat, pansies from someone's garden, a loaf of fresh-baked-still-warm raisin bread, and

some chocolate-vanilla swirled cakes (in a plastic bag that had me smiling all day!!) from some of my students today.*

Oh yeah.
Karma.
She does have a way of surprising a person.

Here's hoping that karma smiles upon you today!!

SHE'S ALIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!

Yes, friends.

I am.

But....

due to a variety of reasons,

(some I might talk about

at a later date, others we will just "sweep under the tatami mat" and never

think/angst about again)

my blogging mojo has gone MIA.

So....until all is back to normal  (^-^)/*,

take a listen to this...

I think it's my new theme song.

I've missed you, my friends.
I hope all is good and groovy with you and yours.

I'll be back soon.
Very soon.