Well, I didn't get home by 7:00. However, first thing when I did get home was to start using that espresso maker. I ripped off that plastic cover and right away, that espresso maker new that I meant business. Now we'll find out who is the boss, I thought to myself. So, first cup of espresso no problem. Milk foamer? Different story. Determined to rebel and undermine until the end, the espresso maker milk foamer feature would not work. After fiddling with this for about an hour, I decide...

Yep, still haven't used that espresso maker. I have gotten as far as taking it out of the box and skimming over the intstructions. Yes, I have to admit it. I actually read through all the instructions for appliances I get. I have only skimmed this one though as it is in Japanese. I think I get most of it. But no further progress than that. By the time I get home, the last thing I want is to go through the rigamaroll of learning appliance operation. I was going to say that the last th...

As I wrote in my other blog, I am feeling amazingly self-satisfied if I actually bring something home for lunch. Lately, meals have consisted of what ever I can pick up at convenience stores. In Japan, one can get a decentish salad, and some other kind of entree the quality (though not proportions) of a Denny's restaurant in the US. If I buy some kind of vegetable for lunch, I feel pretty damn good about that, too. Lately, I notice a stockpiling of instant foods in my desk (sealed in pac...

So, I finally decided to follow the crowd and get a cell-phone that can take pictures. This way, next time I'm at some kind of event, I can stand around with everyone else, arm raised high above my head to avoid the crowds and take pictures oSome of them turn out pretty well. The deciding factor is that my current phone, being 4 years old and the victim of countless, accidental droppings, has bad reception. The only problem now is finding the time to go out and get a new phone. Lately, I a...

There are a lot of ants in our back yard. They don't bite or anything. They are kind of cute in their little anty way since they are small and don't bite. Sometimes they crawl on me if I stand near the bar-b-q and because they are so small that I don't notice them. When I do, I try to shake them off, but there is always another one on my leg. Now I've kind of got the heebeejeebees and I feel like ants are crawling on me all the time.

It seems that there are certain things that I should avoid saying. "Things are going great," seems to top the list at the moment. It is like inviting trouble to knock you down on your ass. I haven't decided yet if even thinking that phrase is anathema as well. I am also going to avoid any obersvations about people's happiness, because I don't want to muck things up for anyone. So far, "You look well" hasn't produced any dire effects for anyone. I can only keep hoping. If I have wis...

Let's see if I got it THIS time! http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=c5pmfzv5.2mjmiykx&x=0&y=ogeq58

Well, I started applying for jobs already, and I have already gotten my first PFO letter. Lovely! I really appreciate being laid off AFTER all the other schools have done their hiring.

I just submitted my entry! YAY YAY YAY time a million! woah! Some background may be needed. Last week I tried to enter a writing contest and wrote furiously to make the deadline, only to notice later that the dealine passe a week ago. I obviously need some more instruction on reading instructions. That's why I am a teacher. Hah! This time, I got my act together and got stuff submitted an hour before the deadline! For the procrastinatrix, this is a feat worthy of... I don't now wh...

Hubby comes through with the Harry Potter tickets and orange peel chocolate! I have to wait until the 26th but that schould be good training in delayed gratificcation! BTW-- that chocolate is AMAZING! YMMERS! WA-HOOOOOOOoooooo!

LAID OFF! sigh... another opportunity for change and seeking my true path has been offered to me. I feel compelled to take it.

I've got a contest deadline tomorrow, and heaps of homework for Japanese class that I have not even touched and what do I do? I spend last night tinkering with digital images on photoshop and print them out in post card format (some nice printed images if I had taken care to reset the pixels). Today, I spend all my free time writing post cards to people I haven't been in touch with for a long time. These are all good things on their own. The photography thing could even be argued as a d...

If you don't count the printer ink that I bought for myself, I got dinner and dishes done. He made curry, which was pretty tasty and did the dishes. Usually whoever cooks doesn't have to do dishes but I really don't like having to wash out a curry pot. So I got to work on my photos while he cleaned up. Apparantly, he still hasn't read my blog either so he is a little clueless. Coincidentally, I did get some chocolate. Giving me chocolate is a pretty safe bet. But two things were not...

I have no idea where this well-spring of optimism is stemming from, but lately, I just have the greatest snse of well-being. I have lots of things to be thankful for and a great husbanis being prtty supportive. This is not simply a bid to get him to take me to the fireflyviewing dinner at the FourSeasons in Tokyo. It just occurs to me that when I disappear to my room to wirte (mainly procrastinate about it in reality) he has no problem with doing dishes or taking up some of the slack. ...

This is my way of subtle hinting to my hubby of what would be good ideas for our anniversary because he reads my blog sometimes. DH (that's you honey, Dear Husband 'cause I feel freaky using your name on-line) First, thanks for the last five years. Most of them have beeen pretty good, and we don't need to rehash what could have made those freaky ones a little better. Most of the time, it's pretty fun hanging out with you. You're still my favorite person to spend time with! Thanks also,...