Living La Vida Loca In Japan: May 2013

Showing posts with label May 2013. Show all posts

Postcrossing - Incoming to May 31, 2013

To May 31, 2013

To finish up last month, here are five cards and some stamps from all over the world. I like these cards, they can be rather amazing, and interesting and downright funky.

I'd love to hear which one or ones you like! If you'd like to see them a little bigger, just click on the pictures.

Gaëlle writes that she is a bookseller for children. She's fond of reading and movies. She likes movies from Wes Anderson and James Gray. She writes that we can see many books on this card and asks if I recognize the Richard Scarry one. Er...no. Anyone help me?

She wrote that the weather was bad when she sent the card. They had rain for 3 weeks. Yikes.

Illustration de Magali Le Huche extraite de "Tu lis où?"

The stamp she used was also interesting! I first thought of a folk tale, but I think I was over-thinking. It's cute though! A very cool French Postcrossing.

Mia sent this lovely creation from China. The card shows a type of sugar. I'm guessing that this is some kind of candy for a festival...please feel free to correct me. She congratulated me on my anniversary, and said that Canada is a beautiful country.

She sends her best wishes.

Mia stamped the back of the card with a Chinese Seal, but I can't show it to you in case it is private. She did use some gorgeous stamps though, which I CAN show you. Take a look at these beauties!

Thanks Mia!

The person who sent this card from Russia is a student, so I am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. He sent me a postcard made from a piece of card. He sends greetings from Siberia. He studies economics. The artwork on the card is an excerpt of "Corner of the Garden at Montgerou" by Monet.

Amanda sent this card from the US. She writes that she loves reading and photography. I believe that she took the picture on the card. She writes that she works at a large chain bookstore (the second bookseller of this entry!)

Lastly, she wrote that her puppy was helping her write the card!

One of the things I have asked for from Postcrossers was something to do with the writing process. Well, there's been a lot of writing done on this machine, but sadly there probably wouldn't be any more done.

Riina sent this card from Southern Finland. She lives with her boyfriend and cat. She works as an assistant teacher helping special needs children in primary school. She said that she was eagerly waiting for summer holidays, when she'll get 10 weeks of free time. She hopes I'll like her card. I do!

The stamp that she used is very unusual. It looks like a Jack O'Lantern.

The eyes, moustache and tie are all stickers on the stamp. Finnish stamps are so interesting!

Thanks Riina!

Aren't these an interesting group of cards and stamps. I think they are quite unique in a lot of ways. Which do you like best?

I think my favourite stamp is the Halloween one, and I really love the bookstore card. The old typewriter is very close behind it in my mind though.

Until next time!

Postcrossing Incoming to May 20, 2013

To May 20, 2013

Another great group of cards arrived in the last few weeks, and here is a little more information about them. I appreciate questions or comments below. I am sorry that it took so long for me to write them up, but I have been extremely busy recently.

And now, on with the show!

Pedro sent this card from Portugal. It is a film poster and shows Amalia Rodrigues, who was one of the most famous singers of Fado.

Cartaz do Filme "Fado" - Mario Costa

Pedro used some very cool stamps as well on his card. I don't know a lot about them, but I haven't seen these ones before.

Fourteen year old Vika sent this card from Moscow. She likes cinema and says that Audrey Hepburn is so cute, especially in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany.

She likes reading , watching serials. She says that she'd like to be a blood donor, and that one of her dreams is to visit Japan. She wishes me health and joy. Thank you!

Audrey Hepburn

Vika used an Olympic stamp on her card, and it was a new one to me. I think it is rather interesting.

Ulrike sent this card to me from Germany. She thinks that Johnny Depp is one of the best actors at the moment. She loves a few movies very much. The Last Unicorn has been a favourite for years, and she loves Tim Burton films too. Her particular favourite is Big Fish.

Johnny Depp

Henk sent this card from Germany, but he is originally from the Netherlands. He studies Russian at the university now. He likes painting, drawing, reading and walking his dog.

Mainz/Rhine, Christ-Church with fountain Hans Klenk

Qwert sent this card from Sweden. It is a movie card which he saw 52 years ago and it was very popular then.

He also questions my choice not to have handmade cards and says that he has asked them, but he only received 6 out of 2300. He notes that things are quite different with different people!

Stinsen Pa Lyckas - 1943

Marika sent this card from Finland. She sends greetings from a small village where she grows organic vegetables. She says that she also loves knitting/crocheting and she was happy to send me this card. It's great!

There you are! A group of lovely cards from all over Europe. I am awfully fond of all of them! I love the knitting card, but am happy with the movie related cards too. The German view is great too.

Which is your favourite? Love to hear from you below.

Until next time.

May 31, 2013

Friday - Warm and sunny

An okay day.

I got up fairly early this morning, showered and read the paper, and read some of F's lovely cranberry and cinnamon bread with my yogurt.

When F asked if I wanted to meet up for lunch I said no because I had to go to my school later on.

I had my lunch, did the dishes and headed off for my school. My student came on time and we had a good lesson. After her class, I did some paperwork with her and she left. I took down a few things from the hallway and classroom.

I didn't hear from my husband until 8 pm. I had sent a text earlier, but he didn't answer. We came home to drop off a cake I got, and then rode our bikes to Grado.

We had dinner at Grado. I had pork. It was okay, but really salty. F had some fish to start and then fish as his main course. It wasn't bad, I tried it.

After dinner, we rode home again. We had some of the cake I got, but soon afterwards, F went to bed. I stayed up and watched a lot of TV and enjoyed it! I'm still up in fact.

I need to get some sleep. I have to do a few hours of packing up tomorrow and then hopefully F and I will go to a movie or something in the evening. Wish me luck. Night!

May 30, 2013

Thursday - Rainy, cloudy and a little cooler.

I had a lazy morning today. I did not want to get up. I did though. F came home for lunch again. He offered to bring me food, I refused, but he brought some anyway. I don't really like it when he brings things like fried chicken and sweets for me.

In the afternoon I scanned some cards and wrote a couple more to go out. This month hasn't been good for my Postcrossing. I did get one of my Postcrossing entries written up, so that was a good thing.

F came home and we ended up watching The Middle. It was quite funny. It was nice to see a sit-com where life wasn't perfect.

F wanted to go to the yakiniku buffet place for dinner, so we did. It was okay. I was a tad surprised at how much I didn't eat! I was also surprised that F wanted to go there. After the hell he put me through with wanting fish and whining about meat, he suggests a yakiniku buffet place? Don't get it!

We made a quick trip to my school to drop off a couple of boxes and then came home. We had a quiet evening. F made some bread for tomorrow, and I did a bit of crochet. I'm crocheting the two pillow sides together, finally. I'm running out of wool though. I hope I have enough to finish it!

That's about it for my day. It was quiet but not necessarily bad. Tomorrow I have one class and then I'm done. Got to go. Night!

Postcrossing - Incoming to May 13th, 2013

To May 13, 2013

I'm a tad behind here, but wanted to let you see these great cards that I have received this month. Sadly, I have been busy with many things and haven't been able to post these entries as often as I'd like to.

Remember that you can click on the card to see a larger version of them. Comments and questions are welcome below.

Ritva sent this great Bogart card from Finland. She writes that she is a grandmother of 3, mother of 2. She lives with her husband and dog. The dog is a black Labrador Retriever and is very kind and sweet.

She wrote that it was spring when she wrote, but summer would be there soon. She says that the snow was almost gone.

She wishes me a happy postcrossing. Thanks!

Humphrey Bogart

Mirka sent this card from the Czech Republic. She writes that she lives in a village near Prague. She likes reading books, crafts and art. She recently went to an aguarelle workshop and it was amazing. She said that she replaced lack of talent with enthusiasm!

Old Town Square, Prague

Julia sent this card, but didn't have a lot to say about it. She said she is 24 years old and comes from Germany. This is a German book.

Anyone who reads this book dies...on the other hand...what would life be,(if) we did not have the courage to risk something?

This was a very cool card from France. It was sent as a "secret letter" and has a backing on it. On the inside there are pictures and lots of writing. I was tickled pink to receive this card and I love it. Mathilde sent it and put so much work into it.

Basically she said that she was sorry not to have a card of the type I ask for in my profile, but it was fine. I'd rather make the connection with another person.

Correspondance aerienne

The stamp that she used was quite large and I think spectacular!

Add caption

Marchi from the Netherlands wrote that this sunset is on a lake that used to be part of the sea. However, since the dyke was built it is a great lake.

Well, there you are, five great cards. Which ones do you like the best?

Until next time!

May 29, 2013

Wednesday - Rainy, hot and humid

An okay day. I had trouble getting up this morning so I didn't bother! No, not really. I did get up, but not terribly early.

I had a difficult morning. I read the paper and just didn't feel that great. F phoned wanting to take me out for lunch, but I asked if we could have bentos in, instead. He was fine with that. He came home for lunch and we enjoyed it.

In the afternoon I started looking up recipes, and then I found one. F told me that he'd be late tonight, but I got started anyway. I made cauliflower au gratin and it was quite fiddly! I had to bake it, but waited for that part. I had just finished doing all the dishes and was going to take a rest, when F called to say that he was on his way. I baked the cauliflower, and got started on the fish. He had to help with the fish a bit. It needed cutting and I needed help with the mix I was using!

Anyway, things got done and dinner was good. The cauliflower was excellent and F helped himself to seconds…he rarely does that!

After dinner, I changed my clothes and we made a quick run to the drugstore and then to my school. F had brought boxes home for me and I wanted to take them to my school.

We came home again. At 11 I did a bit of crochet in front of House. I think I'm going to join the two parts of the cushion cover together now. Yay.

I wrote up a couple of cards for postcrossing, and might do one or two tomorrow. I'm not sure. That's about it for me. I hope to be able to get out of the house under my own steam tomorrow. Talk to you tomorrow night and find out what goes on! Night.

May 28, 2013

Tuesday - Hot and sunny, bit muggy at night.

I must start with an apology. Although I was at home last night I wasn't able to blog. I kept falling asleep at my computer and just felt that bed was a much better place for me to be.

I'm still really tired and apt to fall asleep tonight too, but hopefully I can write a few words for you all.

The convention in Kyoto was wonderful. The weather was much too hot for me however, but I was able to do some exploring and also met up with a few of my old friends. There was even the chance to make some new friends. Yay.

It was a long trip for me on Thursday morning, but I made it in plenty of time. I arrived in my hotel around 4 pm, making my trip last around 9 hours from door to door. Coming back, I split it up into two parts. One night I stayed in Niigata for extra shopping fun.

Today's story…I got up and dressed in case Takkyubin came with my suitcase…then got up for real an hour later.

I had a late lunch at home, and then left for my school. I had two classes today and they went fairly well. One student gave me a lovely bouquet of flowers too…so touching!

After work, F c-mailed me, but didn't say he'd come right over. When he knocked on my door, I didn't know what I was supposed to do. He hadn't said he'd pick me up.

He did, however, and we went to Sukase for a nice dinner. I had a new set meal, but I probably won't have it again.

We bought groceries and I did a little crocheting and end-darning in when I finished the crocheting. I'm nearly finished. I hope I have enough wool.

That's about it. I might try and post a few pictures tomorrow from the convention and see how you like them. I have to go. Night!

May 21, 2013

Tuesday - humid and sunny

A good day.

I got up this morning a little late and watched some TV. After that, I read the paper and received F's call about lunch. He came home for lunch with a bento.

After he left I did a few more things. I was just going to get ready to make my lunch when I heard the door again. Yes, F came back for another visit. This time, he brought me a drink. A Gateau Chocola. It sounded yummy, so I opened it up and took a sip. Coffee! Yikes. The first time I've had any coffee in about two years. I stopped drinking it because I couldn't sleep. He knew that. He didn't check the label, and neither did I. Silly me.

F went back to his job and I got onto my lunch. I had a leftover piece of chicken from last night, and a cucumber on crispbreads, and half an avocado on my lovely sunflower seed bread. Yum. One of the nicest lunches I've had in ages.

I biked to work, making a quick trip through the drugstore and then got to my school. I set everything up, changed, dusted the shelves and my student cancelled. Sigh. I spent her class time in my school, reading old papers and doing other paperwork. I decided after 6 that as it was still light out, I'd just ride home.

I had a lovely bike ride and came home. F was happy but surprised to see me as I hadn't called to tell him I was on my way.

After a long while, we went out for dinner to his Chinese restaurant. We both had "variety" meals. He had ramen and chahan, I had hoi-koro and fried chicken. I liked the meal a lot.

When we came home, I tried on my dress, a dress rehearsal so to speak! I'm glad I did as there was almost a wardrobe malfunction, so I'd rather find out about that here, rather than in Kyoto!

I watched a bit of TV at 11 and did a little crochet too. I'm starting to worry about the amount of wool that I have left. I'm hoping it'll be enough, but…

Anyway, that's it for me for tonight. I won't update tomorrow unless something worthy happens, so don't wait up. I'll be away until next Monday night. Hopefully I'll be off having a great time. Got to go. Night!

May 20, 2013

Monday - Muggy and cloudy

A good day.

This morning I got up a little late, but decided to keep to my plan. I had some of my yummy bread and some yogurt for breakfast (I typed breadfast at first!)

I left the apartment on time and biked over to Machi-kine. I think I took every wrong turn that I possibly could, but still managed to get there on time. What was I going to see? The Way We Were. I didn't love it, but I did appreciate seeing it. Streisand was much better than I expected. After years of watching impersonators or people making fun of her, it was nice to see the real thing. One of the people in the theatre fell asleep and we could hear his snoring during some of the quiet moments.

After the movie I was leaving the theatre when I noticed some young women asking people to fill in a survey. I laughed to myself, thinking that they wouldn't bother asking me. Well, they didn't, but someone else did! A man stopped me politely and asked his survey in English. I think he was surprised to hear that I live in Japan. Anyway, survey about the theatre done, I left and went on my way.

I did a little shopping and bank visiting, then headed over to the mall. I toured the 100yen shop and then had a tea and a sandwich in Doutors. I had a lovely Honey and Mint Royal Milk Tea, which is their newest special drink. It was very nice. The mint added a little something.

After my drink, I headed home. I made good time and got home around 5. I didn't waste my time though. I swept the first floor of our apartment building and then I vacuumed our apartment. Yay me.

F came home around 6 and a little later I made dinner. We had stir-fried asparagus, salad, cucumber sticks, and chicken. It was good. F was quite pleased with it I think.

After he did dishes, he headed out for a walk and I started packing. I try to do it day by day, so that I have at least a full outfit for each day, but sometimes it is difficult. I have heard that Kyoto is very hot right now, and since I am not great in hot weather, I have to think cool! Added onto everything else is the problem that I can't get some of my favourite things to wear clean enough. Boo!

We each watched a bit of TV in the evening . I did some crochet on the couch. I am nearing the end of my cushion cover and I'm starting to worry that I might run out of wool. So far so good though.

Anyway, that's about it for me. Oh, I'll slip in a picture of my lovely bread. If you look at it close up you might see some of the sunflower seeds. It is so delicious! Night!

May 19, 2013

Sunday - cloudy with rain later on

A really, really nice day.

I got up before 12 today, checked email and even made a few phone calls. Well, I tried to anyway. There wasn't any answer when I called. I vowed to try again later, then went back to bed for a little.

We went to Patio in the mall for lunch. F wanted ramen of course and I of course didn't. He had some, I had pasta, and we were both pleased I think.

F had wanted to go fishing today, and so we went. We came home, took a few minutes to get ready and grabbed our rods and drove to Kamo Port. We found a couple of spots and threw our lines in, but nada! Hardly any bites at all. It started to rain around 5:00 so we chucked it all in and left.

We drove to Mikawa Mall because I wanted to get some new socks for summer. We picked some out. I tried on a few shirts and a skirt in the ladies section, but the only thing that fitted just right was a very casual shirt and I have a lot of those. Well, truth be told, the skirt was fine too, but I so rarely wear them these days that I couldn't think of a good place to wear it to!

We had a drink in Seattle's Best, then drove back to Tsuruoka. We had a quick and yummy dinner at Kintaro Sushi and then whipped around the grocery store for tomorrow's dinner and some staples. I vowed to F that I would make bread tonight while I was at the store.

We got home and I spent about an hour talking to people in my woman's group. We chatted about a lot of different things and I'm really glad I bothered, even though I am not a good phone person.

And then, I looked for a recipe to adapt and found one. Tonight I set up the bread maker for Whole Wheat Sunflower Seed Bread, so I really hope it works. I used up one of my precious sunflower seed packets!

I watched some TV, F took his bath, I did a little crochet (not during his bath!) and I sorted out the gomi for tomorrow. Whew! I was busy tonight. Yay me!

Tomorrow I should get ready for my trip and might if the weather isn't good. If it is, I might go out for a bit in the afternoon. I haven't been out under my own steam in a while. Come back tomorrow and find out what happens, if you aren't doing anything else! Night.

May 18, 2013

Saturday - Warm and sunny

A good day.

I got up this morning and showered, then settled in for The Gilmore Girls. I did some crochet at the same time and got the four small squares joined together. Now, I just have to go around them a few million times and I'll be done! Woot!

F suggested that we go to Grado for lunch, so that's where we headed to. I had pork and F had fish. I liked mine, F wasn't so certain about his. After lunch, he dropped me off at my school.

At my school I got ready for my class and I read the paper. I was getting ready for my class, when I felt an earthquake. Yikes! It wasn't a big one here though. A few seconds later, my student called to cancel her class. Something had come up. Sigh.

I relaxed a little, did paperwork, then some laundry. I cleared off a shelf in the closet and threw a few old calendars out. Finally, I called F and asked him to come and get me.

We headed over to Komagihara for dinner. I was hoping to have the buffet, but it was booked up tonight. We went to the other part and had an okay meal. It wasn't great! After the meal, we came home for a bit and then started out again.

We went to the Machi-kine theatre tonight to see Silver Linings Playbook. We both enjoyed it. I know it was a bit "Mental Illness-lite" but the acting was good, as was the writing. Jennifer Lawrence is a good actress and I think she'll only get better.

After the movie we came home and vegged. I watched my Saturday night TV and F made bread! We ate most of it already. It was darn good though.

Not too sure what we'll do tomorrow. I'm hoping to do a little shopping, but who knows? Catch me tomorrow night and we'll talk. Night!

May 17, 2013

Friday - Gorgeous and sunny

An okay day.

I got up when I said I would this morning and took a shower. We left the apartment just after 10 am. Woot! F drove us to the first place on his list but they were all booked up. The second place was presently busy, but invited us back at 11am. Oh…lucky F.

Anyway, we went to McDonalds for a drink and then went back to the chiropractor. For the next 50 minutes I was prodded, pulled and pushed and it felt pretty good. I've been feeling quite unbalanced since I got so sick last year, and this helped quite a bit. I still have more than a few sore spots though. The chiropractor said that I was quite out of alignment and should go back a couple of times a month. I'm game, but it is a tad expensive. It isn't covered by the National health insurance.

After my session we decided to go and get lunch, but as usual couldn't agree on a place. I suggested sushi, but F countered with delivery sushi rather than kaitensushi. So, we did that. We went home and ordered it. It was good, except they had put way too much wasabi on it. I had to keep taking the fish off and scraping off the excess wasabi. And, I like wasabi!

In the afternoon I got F to drive me to my class. He had to run some errands too. I taught my student and we talked about her Italian holiday. It sounds like she loved it! She brought me back some olive oil soap and some Parmigiano-Reggiano. I hope I don't confuse the two!

After a bit of reading I called F and he picked me up. We came home for a bit, vegged..the usual. Finally we went to Pacific Airy Heights and had a nice meal. Well, I did, F complained as usual. We tried to go to Mr. Donuts after for a drink and snack, but the parking lot was full. The store was empty. We ended up at Mosburger and had their new choux-cream mug. It was okay, not really sweet enough to be a dessert, not really ice-creamy enough to be satisfying. And now, seeing the website, I realize I ate it all wrong. How embarrassing!

We came home and spent a fairly good evening at home. I got F to take some photos of me in my new threads for the convention, but for some reason my camera wasn't co-operating much. I probably hit the wrong button and then not wearing my glasses just made it all worse.

Anyway, tonight passed quite well. Tomorrow I have an afternoon class. F has to take his mother out to see yet another great-grandchild, but hopefully we'll be able to see a movie in the evening. That's it for me. Night.

May 16, 2013

Thursday - Cloudy but warm

An okay day.

I planned to go out today, but didn't during the day. I got up, did my usual things except I held off my shower until quite late. I had breakfast and then F called me and asked me out. I said no because I knew he'd be off work on Friday and I didn't need to see him that much.

I was eating lunch when F showed up with something for me. Nice, but I didn't really want it. I had planned to go out, but didn't. I realized that I had a lot of stuff that needed doing for my trip next week, so I took care of a lot of it.

When F came home he was grouchy and asking me about what we were going to do tomorrow. I kept trying to remind him that I had a class to teach in the afternoon. He wants to take me to a chiropractor but of course hasn't made an appointment. I asked him if he had and he bit my head off, then made himself some ramen and went to bed. As we hadn't had dinner yet, that was more than a little annoying.

I took myself out for dinner tonight. I'm not going to wait around for him to take me. It was only Marumatsu, but it was okay. I had a fairly decent meal and then came home afterwards. I watched a bunch of TV tonight because I realized that if I didn't watch today's shows, I'd miss them because I have to go to bed early on the night they repeat.

After a couple of hours of peaceful TV, F got up. He wasn't bad really. I tried on my new-new shoes that were redelivered today and they are great! I'm going to keep both pairs. Now I should junk some of the other pairs that don't fit very well.

Anyway, that's it for me. Tomorrow I hope I have enough patience to put up with F. I hope that he will have enough patience with me too! Got to go. Night!

May 15, 2013

Wednesday - Sunny and warm, with a bit of rain in the middle

A good day. I woke up at 8 am as I was afraid that the takkyubin guy would arrive and find me in my pj's. I got up, got dressed and went back to sleep. Evil, but it worked! I handed over my big box o'shoes when the man came and then stayed up.

I had some lovely French Bread that F had made last night. It was my breakfast, and also my lunch! F did call at 11:20 and asked me to have lunch with him but I said no. Instead I stayed home and did an insane amount of laundry and even hung up some of the dry stuff!

I wrote a couple more Postcrossing cards and then scanned them in the afternoon. I decided to send a Gotochi card to one of the people too, just because. I ran them off to the post office around 5 pm.

F came home around 6 tonight and after a few minutes I started working on dinner. Despite my vow of making a simpler stir-fry, it was still a bit of work. Oh well. After I finished cooking it, it was good.

F and I enjoyed dinner, although he had a visit from the insurance lady during our meal. Their timing sucks.

F watched a lot of really bad TV and then I watched a bit. I like to think mine is better, but I'm sure that it isn't.

He went to bed fairly early tonight. It was a pretty good day. We received a wedding invitation in the mail. I'm hoping to go, but F says that he can't make it. It's in Canada, and I know it would be hard for him to get the time off.

Anyway, that's about it for me for tonight. Tomorrow, I might start packing or doing some printing for my trip next week. Wish me luck with it please! Night.

May 14, 2013

Tuesday - Sunny and warm

A good day.

I woke F up last night long enough to get him to change into his pyjamas and go back to bed. Of course, he was all chatty when he woke up and I wanted to get to sleep, but eventually I did.

I got up this morning and had a lovely quiet time. I had breakfast, toast and yogurt, then read the paper. At 12 F phoned and asked if I'd like a bento. I said no thanks, as there was leftover food from last night's dinner. He came home without a bento for himself and ate all the food. Except the salad. Nice. He has no idea that I was planning to eat the leftovers from last night.

After he left I watched Heartland (finally, an episode I hadn't seen!) and then took a mini nap. I was back at my computer, about to shut it down to make my lunch, when F came back again. Does this man not work??? After he left I got busy. I made some lunch for myself, just instant pasta with sauce, then did the dishes. I left the apartment around 3:30.

I made good time on my bike and got to the school well before 4. I opened up, and actually had to run the air conditioner on dry a little. It was hot and stale in there. It cooled down and I changed and got ready for my class.

My student called to cancel. I was quite disappointed, but I know how busy she is. I had a cup of tea, read some of my magazine and then did a little bit of sorting out. I threw out a bunch of junk from a drawer. Yay me.

I decided to call F and see if he'd come and get me or if I should come home. We decided I'd bike home, so I did. It was a lovely night to be out and about.

We had dinner at Cocos and had almost the same thing, chicken. Mine was with basil sauce, his was with garlic shoyu. We ate, had our drink bar, and then went off to the grocery store. We got groceries for tomorrow's dinner. I'm going to do a stir-fry, but I'm not going to spend a lot of time doing veggie prep. Most of what I got is pre-cut up. Yay me.

When we came home, F decided not to get out just yet and took us for a little drive. We ended up going to McDonalds for ice cream, which we got as take out. We came home and ate. I watched a bit of TV and did some crochet, F took his bath and went to bed finally.

And that's about it for me. I wrote a couple of postcards tonight, and maybe I'll be able to write a couple tomorrow too. I hope to go out and get my hair trimmed either tomorrow or Thursday, but who knows? Will I? Night.

May 13, 2013

Monday - Warm and sunny, then rainy

An odd day.

I got up this morning, had breakfast and read a couple of newspapers. It was nice. F did offer to bring lunch over, but I refused. I didn't want to have rice anyway.

After two I got a surprise, F popped home for a quick visit. He left soon after, and so did I. I went to a couple of banks to have my passbooks updated. They've become demagnetized in my purse, so I had to go into the branch to get them done. I still have one left, but I couldn't get to the place in time.

I was going to go and have a drink at McDonalds but noticed some big black clouds so decided to just go home. I did run to the post office first though, to drop off a card.

I came home and after a little bit, I got started on dinner. I washed and cut up some asparagus so I could stir-fry it just before dinner. F came home a bit late tonight, after 6 pm. He was tired.

I asked him if I should cook dinner, so I started. I suggested that he change his clothes. I got on with dinner. I stir-fried the asparagus, got the pilaff heated up, mixed up the eggs and cooked the first omelette. His omelette. I was rather perturbed when he didn't come and get it. I had asked him specially the night before not to make me wait when I cooked tonight. He didn't come. He was lying on his bed half asleep. He never did get up. His omelette was on the table, as were the other dishes. I decided to just get on with making mine. I ate by myself, and it was very nice. So much for my nice dinner at home. Sigh.

F slept all night. In fact, he's still sleeping. I've tried to wake him, but he didn't get up. I'm not sure if he'll be able to sleep all night or not now.

Well, that's it for me. I might get to bed early, or I might stay up a bit and write a postcrossing or read my book. Hmm…I haven't read anything for a few days. Book might be nice!

Got to go. Night.

May 12, 2013

Sunday - Sunny and warm!

A good day. I overslept this morning, but I didn't care that much! F had gotten up, taken out the bread and gone to his mother's house by the time I was out of bed this morning.

We went out for lunch to Grado today. I had a sparerib in a sweet chilli red wine sauce. It was very tender, and delicious. F had fish and said that he liked what he ate too. Yay.

After lunch we ran a few errands. We finally got more ink for our fax machine and picked up a few things at the drug store. After that, we came home for a few minutes. I put on sunscreen, grabbed a hat and my flask full of cold water, and off we went.

F wanted to go to Ikoinomura, a park near Tsuruoka that is famous for tulips. We missed the peak season, but they were so gorgeous that it didn't matter. I took lots of pictures, so have a look at them. Click on them to see them bigger.

On the way back into Tsuruoka, we stopped for gelato at the Tomato Farm shop. I had hazelnut and chocolate, F had pistachio and chocolate. Yummo. After that, F got some gas when we arrived back in our city and then F suggested going to the Internet Cafe. I said sure!

We went and spent a few hours in the massaging chairs. It is heavenly. I spent my time watching clips from the Ellen show on YouTube! It was quite fun for most of it, although I did watch some of the serious stuff from when she first came out. Both F and I had a bite when we were there.

When we'd had enough, we had a quick nosh at Yoshinoya and then bought a few groceries at the store. I'm going to make omelettes for dinner tomorrow night. I suggested that I do that for a change. I'd like to get in the habit of making simpler meals rather than Meals. I make things too fancy sometimes.

Anyway we came home and I watched a bit of TV and let F watch a bit too! I'm sure he thinks he doesn't get enough, but I think he gets too much J-TV!

So that was my day. It was rather nice. The flowers were amazing and I'm glad that we went to see them. Got to go. Night!

May 11, 2013

Saturday - Rainy

A good, but sleepy day!

I got up this morning at an early time, and watched Martha Bakes. I hate Martha Stewart! She was making pastry today and she recommended that we make pastry in "a food processor". Huh? I used to make pastry in a bowl, by hand, on the farm, and it was darn good! Many moons ago though.

I showered and settled in for a little bit of The Gilmore Girls. It was great, and I got to do a bit of hooky at the same time. After the show, I was overcome by a wave of tiredness and went to take a mini-nap for 15 minutes. I woke up over an hour later. Yikes.

F and I went out for lunch today to Patio in the mall. I had the lunch special which was really nice, F had ramen which he actually liked! He didn't complain about it. I was amazed. We did a spot of shopping in the mall, but I started to have stomach problems. Nothing major besides a bit of pain and a bad feeling.

We left the mall, had a quick cup of tea or coffee at Mr. Donut then headed towards our apartment. F needed to pick something up. We went to my school and started to get set up for a meeting. The lady came at 4 pm and we had a nice get together. She brought her daughter with her, she was about 2 or 3 and was crying her eyes out. She cried for about an hour. She was inconsolable. Anyway, the woman had done some sewing for me. She did fabulous work. We paid her, had some tea and cake and then she left. Her daughter had finally cheered up a little by then!

After that, I cleaned up in the school by doing dishes, then came home. F drove off to visit his mum.

When he came back, I ended up taking another nap. This time, I didn't wake up for two hours. Yikes! We went out for dinner. Because I was still having stomach problems, we went to F's fish restaurant. I had a grilled fish set. It was trout, and was nice.

After we came home. I did a little more crochet during CSI and then went back to my computer. That's about it for my day. It's now way, way late and F and I are still up. It'll be light soon! I have to go catch some zzzz's. Night.