For want of a better post...just a post......

As days go, today was a really good day. But, tonight, as I was in the bath, there was an incredible sssssiiiiiiggggghhhhhh that was released from my body.
"What the heck was that for?", I thought to myself. Sure, I'm usually pretty tired at the end of each and every day, but....this...was more than usual.

I'm a person that is more often than not, "up"...or naturally "genki", as the Japanese would say...energetic. I explained to my husband a few years ago, that our jobs were so completely different. A teacher's job, on an emotional level, is different from most others.

Let me explain....I am an English conversation teacher. I do not work in one particular school. I am what they call over here an "achi-kochi sensei"....(a here and there teacher). I work in community centers, I go to houses for private and small group lessons, I have a couple of classes that are actually in language schools, and one or two classes come to my home. Whenever I walk into a classroom, whether there are 4 students or 25, I am expected to be "genki". And I am.
But....after a day like Monday, for example (3 classes--2--2 hours, 1--90 minutes...every minute "genki"!!!), and this in an average day, I'm pretty tired. I do my classes in during the day.......THEN...I go grocery shopping, pick up "littlest one" at the daycare, drive to pick up "oldest one" at the after school program, go home and cook dinner, clean up kitchen while boys are taking bath, get the boys ready for bed, THEN I can get my bath and after that it is MY time to do computer and Internet and get ready for the next day....to start all over again.

I'm okay with this for a while, but after about 3 or 4 weeks or so....my body and my psyche say..."Enough!!" And I sleep. In an average night, I sleep about 4 or 5 hours....on a night like tonight...I will probably sleep about 10, if the boys let me I'm lucky. I only need one night, and then I am ready to "seize the day" again with the best of 'em.

Today, I spent the morning doing laundry and trying to get the house ready for some students that were coming this afternoon for a lesson. It's a "mama/baby" class, so there are some little ones and I like to make sure that the floor is picked up enough that no one will see something really cool and want to eat that thing, thus taking choking out of the day's scenario. So, I try to clean the house really well.
Then, for some reason, I thought that, well....a pineapple-upside-down cake would be really good to have with our tea this afternoon. So I made one. (It was delicious, by the way!!!)
After the class left, about 4:30.....I still had to make dinner and all that other stuff mentioned before.

And so...that brings me to the bath and the "sigh"....(see, we were coming back to that...were you worried?!) I'm going to bed now....it's still kind of early for me....not quite midnight, but....me thinks I will sleep well tonight....and a rejuvenating slumber is what I need.
So....good night to you all.....
oh....and I will leave with one more "George".......the man just has so many faces, doesn't he?
And though the others are all 'zexy' and stuff, I think this one is in my "top 5 pictures of George"....There's just something about him........ya gotta love a man in flannel!!!




Good night everyone....sweet, yummy dreams.




**Wow...I just re-read what I typed and I think I mights have rambled a bit...oh well...I type like a talk!! :-D And sometimes, a little "rambling" just happens!!! See you tomorrow!!

Again already with the "Friday Feast" substitutions....

Well, well, well...it's time again to try and find something to use for the weekly feast-a-rama!! And since the "Friday Feast" is still not functioning...or at least it isn't right now....I guess I need to go out and find a set of questions to steal borrow from someone!

Thanks goodness my new good friend Grandy over at http://functionalshmunctional.blogspot.com/ had a list of questions in a meme that she even gave permission for anyone to use.....and I am now "anyone"!!! (Thanks Grandy!!!)

(and if "anyone", not me this time, can explain how to get a link included without having the whole address right there but instead something like "Grandy's"....please tell me and I would be forever grateful!!)

So....on with this evening's entertainment....a Meme from Grandy:

Name something you do everyday: Laugh!! I read somewhere that laughter was really good for your diet and in helping you lose weight..........HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Puh-lease!! If that were true, I would look like this: l

Name 2 things you wish you could learn:
(1.) Kanji...the Chinese characters that are only one part of the 3-part-writing system here in Japan. I try so hard, then....*poof*...it's gone. I can survive here without it, but it would make life much, much easier.
(2.) to crochet. One of my students has made some of the most interesting things using macrame jute and other fun yarns and she has tried to teach me....but...I can't. I did teach her the phrase "I'm all thumbs." I'll try again in a few months!!!


Name 3 things that remind you of your childhood:
(1.) riding bicycles. In the summer, we would ride all over the county...having adventures along the way. It was great.
(2.) Kool-Aid. When we were kids, we got one of those Kool-Aid pitchers that looked like the Kool-Aid guy (remember the big smile). I love grape and strawberry....though some of the new flavors are really good, too!! I just love a kid with a Kool-Aid mustache!!
(3.) "It's the story....of a lovely lady..." The Brady Bunch!!! A while back, on one of the stations here, they were running episodes of the show....they were great!!! Anytime I see pictures of the actors who played the kids or anyone else from the show, it's like "Aaaaah...I remember that!!!"



4 things you love to eat but rarely do:
(1.) Really good Mexican food. I can get (or even make) some do-able stuff, but....it just doesn't measure up to what I can get in the States....or better yet, in Mexico!!
(2.) Steak. It's hard to justify the cost here and since we don't eat really good steak here very often, my system doesn't handle the beef very well anymore.
(3.) Oreo Cookies. I can get them here, but...I have no control when it comes to an Oreo....kind of like that potato chip commercial...."can't eat just one".
(4.) Crab legs. And I'm talking Alaskan King Crab....not baby ones...but really nice ones that when you pull them out of the shell, you can almost hear the meat *sigh* as the fork gently tugs on it.....oh...and melted butter....lot's of melted butter!!! (Oh! My kingdom for a Joe's CrabShack right now!!!)



Name 5 things/people that make you feel good:
(1.) The people around me. I'm just putting everyone in one group....my family, friends, and especially my students. I'm very lucky to be surrounded by such an incredible group of people!!
(2.) A really good, full-body hug. My friend, Beth's husband Vito is this really tall Brazilian guy, with really long arms and he gives THE best hugs. Sometimes, I just have to borrow him to get a fix!! Thanks, Beth..:-D You are a great bud to share your husband, like that!!! I'm teaching the boys the importance of a good hug!!!
(3.) Seeing certain people's name on an e-mail. I get some really great e-mail messages from some wonderful friends, but there are a few that, when I see who they are from, I just smile. It's a great feeling!
(4.) Dancing hula. I have to admit that even though I only take a class two or three times a month, I pretty much practice almost every night! I love the music, the words, the rhythm...and the movements. I put on my pau skirt, turn the music on and I am transported to "somewhere" else. It's also pretty sexy....when it's done right...and that feels really good!!
(5.) My flannel pajama pants and really old sweatshirt (worn inside out!) that I wear to bed.

Whew! That ended up being longer than I planned...sorry about that!!! Hope it wasnt' too painful to read!!

Have a good Friday....someone go to Chili's or TGIFridays and have a margarita and some Ultimate Nachos for me, please!!! Thanks so much!!!

My secret Valentine....

**Or...."My Secret Boyfriend #2"

A long time ago, in a world far, far, away....there was a TV show called "The Facts of Life". It was a goofy show...with silly girls...with some pretty good problems that usually got solved.
When they went to college, they employed a handyman (heh heh heh)...and from the moment he came on the screen, I, my friends, was smitten.
Yes, the hair was....reflective of the era...it gave the "mullet" a whole new definition. But he was...in my mind...dreamy.

And then there was this.....

...and he was! (and he was sharing the cover with McDreamy!!! sigh)

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for a man in uniform...and this...well....

gosh darn it but he looks good!!

Sssshhhhhh.....no words....just loooooooooook.......

Even in one of my favorite movies, with greasy hair and cheezy 'stache and all, he still pulls it off very nicely!!!

Not only is the man "drop dead gorgeous", but he's a hell of a humanitarian as well! He's got a wonderful sense of humor. And the people he usually travels with aren't too shabby either (Brad, Matt, Mark.....). So now, as I am about to turn off the computer, I will have "visions of George" in my head this Valentine's night.

(Which rates up there with flowers and chocolates. But not jewelry...that's usually #1)

I wish you all a wonderful Valentine's Day...

much love to you all!!!

Now THIS festival would be one to go and see....

Bring on the (semi) naked men!!!

The K-man was telling me about a very interesting festival here in Japan...actually, there are many of these particular "get-togethers"....they are called Hadaka Matsuri, or "the naked men festival".

The men who take part in the festival wear a Japanese loincloth, or a "fundoshi", and some comfortable running wear. The festival is held in summer, but the ones in the winter are seemingly more popular.

Okay....so a bunch of men, in fundoshi, go to the temple to be purified by water....then the priests at the temple will throw out sticks, that symbolize the event, that the men will fight over....if you manage to catch a stick, then you will be extra lucky during the year.

One particular festival, in the northern part of Japanand scheduled for this weekend, has been going on for over 800 years!!!

Did I mention that there are sometimes hundreds of men doing this at any given place?!?!?

Before I go any further, let me also explain that in winter.....it's cold!!! Very cold!!! And the water?? Puh-lease!!! Can you say "icy"?!?!

Oh...and then....they may all run up a hill together with people who are clothes (pansies!!!)







And then, it's back to the temple...oops!!! Somebody lost something on the way!!! In one group of pictures there were a bunch of naked and semi-naked men climbing on ropes hanging from the temple roof. I asked the K-man what he thought they were doing....he just shook his head and went to bed!!!

If you want to see some "live action", go to YouTube and search "naked men festival"....it's actually quite amazing to watch....funnier than crap, but still amazing in its own right!!!


Now....as my mind is tired and I need sleep, this just came to me.....This country is just full of contradictions. A couple walking down the street is made to feel uncomfortable if they are holding hands. And kissing on the street or in public?!?!?! Oh My Goodness!!! No No NO!!! Not even a peck on the cheek or a quick one on the lips!!! *Gasp*
But....here we are....in a festival, with semi-naked, completely naked and I'm sure more than a little drunk men running around the town and in the rivers and...it's....okay.
But....I guess...if the temples were to start a "hand holding kiss the ones you love" festival, then it would be okay.
Shoot....they'd probably even make and sell special "good luck" charms to buy to commemorate the event!!!

And my motto over the last 16 plus years has been....."try to see the humor in this Debbie, try to see the humor"!!! If I can't laugh at it....it's time to leave!!!
And here is Debbie.....chuckling to herself as she hits the "Publish Post" button!!!

Tuesday, 2/12....a pretty good day...

Part 1. Okay....so I'm in a bit of better frame of mind to deal with the whole Valentine's Day thing here in Japan. If you really want to read about the whole holiday and how it came to be and yadda yadda yadda....just Google "Valentine's Day in Japan" and a whole slew of things will come up for you....more than what you ever thought you wanted to know!!!
But....simply put....on February 14, women give men chocolates and presents. Or they lovingly make cakes/cookies/fudge-like chocolaty gooeyness. Or they really show their love by knitting a sweater or scarf. Men.....do nothing. No flowers. No candy. No presents. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
There are a few different kinds of "choco" you can give: 1. obligational chocolate for co-workers and/or "just friends". 2. "real" choco for your true love or the one you want to be your true love and 3. (this is a new one) "tomochoco"...."friend choco", something sweet for your friend who is also a girl. (This one started just a few years ago.)
Young ladies who work in offices will spend a bunch of yen on the "giri-choco" for the guys that they see everyday and probably make tea or coffee for.
Then.....on March 14, "White Day", the men will return the favor and buy, yes, something white for the girl (again chocolate, or other white candy...but mainly white chocolate!!). This 'holiday' was started by the chocolate companies here who were smart enough to see that they could make a bundle on both days!!!

In the Kuroiwa house, we celebrate both days. My husband does pretty good on White Day, so I can usually cut him some slack....his... is a cultural thing, not a man-thing.
Now...the boys are different.
I have designated certain days in which "Mom gets flowers". Since they don't really have a lot of their own money, on those days (Valentine's Day, Mother's day and my birthday) I give them 2,000 yen (about $20), take them to the flower shop, I let them go in
by themselves and buy me a present. I have taken them to the same shop for the past few years so the guys who work there know what's going on. They are very good in helping pick out the right flowers....but, both Issei and Koji know that though Mom likes most flowers....yellow roses, sterling roses, daisies, and callas are among her favorites!!!
I can't change a whole culture, but I can influence the little "men in training" that live with me!!!

Part 2. WHAT WE SEE IN THE MORNINGS by Koji and Mommy
This morning, in the car, I had my keitai (cell phone) out and Koji wanted me to take a picture. So I did. He then ordered directed me to take other pictures. So...here you go:








Have a great Tuesday, everyone!!!

What I would like for Valentine's Day.....

I opened up the Internet tonight and was totally bombarded with Valentine ads, Valentine messages, "what to give" lists and what-not. Now....I'm in a pretty good mood tonight and have been most of the day. I spent some time with a couple of really good friends....got some great "kitchen" hand-me-downs, as they are leaving Japan soon and are getting their stuff packed up (it's like Christmas, I tell you!!!). On the way home, I caved to the little voice in my head that was saying "Snickers....sniiiiiiickers..." and stopped at the convenience store and bought one AND a coke!! Heaven....pure heaven.
When I got home, we had a surprise visit from the termite people....today was a holiday here in Japan, but since both the K-man and I work during the week, today was the only day they could come and spray (we don't have termites...it was preventative spraying!!). Their coming wasn't a particularly great thing, but......as I couldn't really do anything while they were here, that meant that I could spend the day doing something I don't do very often....read. Of course, I had a 5-year-old jumping on me, but, even that couldn't ruin the good day I had going.

Okay.....Back to the Valentine stuff and the whole basis of this post (sorry...I do tend to ramble sometimes...just part of my charm!!)
So as not to ruin this feel good feeling I've got....I'm not going to tell you about Valentine's Day here in Japan, because really, it is not as much fun as I remember it being in the States! Actually, it's the complete opposite of how it is celebrated there!!
Tomorrow I have classes all day and though I love my classes, I might be in a better (?) frame of mind to explain. I just want to continue with the "happy thoughts"!!! Soooo....I'm going to share with you some of the things I would like to get....IF this were a perfect world.

Okay....so....

A nice card....

...or two!
A piece of jewelry, maybe....i do love a good bracelet!
Flowers.....definitely flowers!!!
A day of some pampering would be great! Oh...I really could come up with more if I thought longer about it....but will stop before I get to the really pricey stuff!!!

What will your day be like? Are you expecting anything special??

I should have done WHAT???

Good afternoon everyone! So...I took a day off from blogging...didn't really mean to, it just sort of happened. Yesterday, I had a class in the morning....drove back home very quickly, got all gussied up and then headed out again (this time, looking oh soooo very good....will post pictures in a day or two!!) to attend my very good friend's wedding reception. She had asked me to give the "kampai" speech....the first toast of the party....and though I was incredibly prepared, I was oh so very nervous. When I got to the place for the party, I proceeded to the little bar they had set up and had myself a couple of drinks, just to take the edge off.

Needless to say....after the toast, the other 3 foreigners and I proceeded to drink more than what one should that early in the day. But...it was for a good cause....our friend was beautiful...the party was wonderful (complete with an incredible fireworks display at the end of the evening!!) and we helped her and her new hubby celebrate a "new start"!!

I got home kind of early, but....the thought of trying to post something was actually, laughable. This morning, I read an e-mail that I sent to a friend last night and now I have made a new rule for myself pertaining to writing letters after drinking....don't do it.

The following is thanks to Gina at http://ginaagain.blogspot.com/ This site has a lot of fun quizzes and such you can do if you have some time to spare. The one I took was for
"What you should be when you grow up".

You Should Be in the Military

You are driven, focused, and an extremely hard worker.And while you can be ruthless in getting what you want, you also have a compassionate side.You are able to balance your own desires with the needs of others.You'll do almost anything to get the job done, but you're not willing to step on anyone's toes. You do best when you: - Are working with others- Are in a fast paced environment You would also be a good CEO or school principal.

Personally....I don't see myself in the militaryI'm not very good at taking orders from other people...but....CEO of my own little company....sure....school principal....hmmmmmm.....
My mom and friends will probably say that this describes me to a T.....and they might be right.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatshouldyoubewhenyougrowupquiz/

Not the "Friday Feast", but something else...

Gosh...this is kind of disappointing...the weekly "Friday Feast" that sends me the questions to answer is "under construction", or something like that....so...I'm on my own tonight.
I really should be working on a "kampai" or toast for one of my really good friend's wedding party tomorrow...but, being the procrastinator I am...nah....I'll get to it later!!! (I work so much better under pressure!!)

I got an e-mail this week that had some questions for me to answer and send on (Thanks, Karen!) so thought I would post some of them tonight.


Four jobs I have had in my life:
1 . dishwasher/waitress
2. flagger for a crop duster
3. K-Mart employee
4. drive-thru convenience store clerk

Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. Bull Durham
2. The Princess Bride
3. 3 Weddings and a Funeral
4. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Four T.V. Shows that I watch:
1. Gray's Anatomy
2. CSI---Las Vegas
3. House
4. Cold Case

Four favorite pastime activities:
1. Reading
2. Making stuff...candles, knick-knacks, t-shirt appliques, cakes
3. Hanging out with friends
4. Blogging / e-mailing and just basic Internet stuff

Four places I have been:
1. London
2. Phuket (for the t-shirts alone it's worth the trip!!)
3. New York City
4. St. Thomas

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Anything having to do with Mexican food
2. Bar-B-Qued anything
3. Hamburgers
4. Cheesy-curly fries

**Just some extra stuff....**

One of the things that I have started doing lately is making cakes. Here in Japan, "decorated" really aren't that "decorated"...at least, not by my definition of the word. So....I decided that, you know what, I can make cakes....I can decorate them, too. And....they're good! They may not be perfect, but...the people that I have made them for don't really seem to mind!!
Here are a few of my favorite cakes so far.....I have done quite a few different kinds but these would be in the "Top 5".


This was a birthday cake for a friend. Her party had a "Hawaiian" theme and I made the "honu" which is, yes, a turtle, but it is also the "God of the Sea". On many Hawaiian designs, you will find turtles.

Beach Sandals....a true size 9 1/2 (mine!). Yes, I know....the straps are a bit short, but...this was the last of my licorice from the States!! The flowers are real....the "sand" is actually crushed butter cookies.
This was for a baby shower some friends had for another friend. You can't see it, but, I made a small "tag" for the onsie that said "Made in Japan".

Maybe someday, I will have a shop and it will be called "Serendipity". There will be English classes, candles, cakes, cards and what-not....it will be a place where friends can gather, have a cup of tea (or a margarita, depending on the time of day) and we can relax and. just. be.
Someday.....

Have a wonderful weekend!