Some days I should just stay out of the kitchen

today I

* made my favorite almond cookies, was hoping to shape them into hina-sama shapes. K and L helped cut out pig shapes, hearts and flowers and I made just two (prince and princess) Hina samas. So glad I didn't waste my time shaping them -- all the biscuits Mergd together to form one big flat mess on the trays in the oven ;( not sure what went wrong, as it was kinda my fail-safe recipe....not anymore,right??,

* made mini quiche (since had the oven going anyway making failed biscuits) with broccoli and tuna, in wanton wrappers for cases. shouldn't have strayed from my normal quiche fillings.....K didn't like it, as I expected;( And the quiches all stuck in the muffin tray and came out looking like a big mess.

So it was a kinda epic fail day in the kitchen.

In other random news:

**Cleaned the kids room, living room, kitchen only to have them messed up even more than when we started about 5 mins later:( sigh. But I guess that is a daily thing, right? )

**Got halfway through the mountain of clothes waiting to be folded and put away. was gonnna do the rest once the kids were asleep, but after an EPIC three hour nap from BOTH kids, bedtime was pushed back til close to 9pm... So I am now sitting under the kotatsu watching dead boring Japanese tv instead of folding.

**I've gone caffeine free! Decided last week to try it - was drinking cups of tea all day long, and the cookies that go with the drink of tea got out of hand, so that my clothes are now all too tight - a problem in winter, unless I can find some potato sacks;(
am actually feeling a bit better without the caffeine/all-day-long drinking, and enjoying my camomile, rosehip and decaf teas. I have drunk coke, and eaten chocolate though, so not fully de-caffeinated yet, but it is a process, right?!
actually, it IS a process, as I am hoping to go sugar-free -- starting March, I am gonna attempt my no junk food/chocolate diet, and try to cut out sugars from my diet. I think this will be challenging. But hoping that I can do it!

**and I haven't forgotten my 101 things....although I think I still have about, uh, 101 things to complete. (sigh) if only the kotatsu wasn't so cozy...........

worthy of a blog post...

Got my PR today.
- 6 and a half months after I applied for it (guess the "6 month" rule holds)
- just a few weeks after my 12th Japanniversary.
- just a few months short of my 6th wedding anniversary
- at a time when I am seriously feeling less and less happy about being in Japan....but I guess that is for another post.

I can now cross that at least off my 101 things list.

So, happy Permanent Residency to me ;)

101 things in 1001 days update

Items crossed off the list in the last few months:

27 . Get back to pre-pregnancy weight
28 . Be able to fit into my Helly Hansen bamboo pants again
31 . Get a professional pedicure at least once.
(again! actually 2times while back in Aus. I love the spa pedis there...)

72 . Organise the playroom so it's easy to clean and keep (relatively!) tidy.
I think I can say that the new organiser/cupboards I have in there are doing the job just fine!

90. Go to the hairdressers at least once a year
Also got a fab style cut (longish bob) while in Aus (colour honey brown with blond highlights) on a "grabone" deal. It looked great when they blowdried it in the salon....looks kinda ok still now, but no way I can re-create that salon look, since my hair flicks OUT rather than under :(

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And I am working on these at the moment:
29 . Follow a daily face firming ritual every day for 2 months in succession (0/2)
Started this while in Aus and intend to keep it up. So far 3weeks :)
My "ritual" involves use of lotion, emulsion and cream with nanocube samples that J got :)

54. Read 5 novels in English (3/5)

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Still, it seems like I have a LOT of stuff left to do on this list!!! Perhaps now L is a bit older, and not stuck to the boob 24/7 I will get a bit of a chance to get out and do some exercise? And since K has started pre-school/kindy 2 days a week I might get some time to get the sewing machine out? Well, that is kinda the plan.....

getting back into it...

the Helly Hanson Bamboo Pants that is!!! ( #27 on my 1001 things in 101 days!)

So obviously this blog was abandoned, along with my life in Japan 2 months ago amidst a partial-meltdown (my own and apparently one in Fukushima Daiichi too) that led me to Aus for a break. Well, we got back to Japan earlier this week, and am now trying to re-adjust to life. I lost any desire to blog whilst in Aus, as I often do, as there is so much else to take up my time, and getting on the computer at my folks place can be difficult....

But now I am back, I feel myself starting to think "ooh, I wanna blog about that" a couple of times a day. I guess I will get around to blogging some of that stuff, but for now, the only really important thing I have to blog about is the miraculous re-appearance of my Helly Hanson Bamboo pants. It has been over two years since I wore (fit into) them last, and even then they were verging on camel-toeing :(

But I pulled them out a couple of days ago in my "spring cleaning" effort in my wardrobe, and was pleasantly surprised to see they fit! My other favourites, the red "mamut" 3/4 length pants are also now back in the drawer of clothes to be worn, so I am looking forward to summer now and getting re-acquainted with many old clothing favourites ;)

As for blogging, I have managed to cross a few things off my 1001 things in 101 days list, so will have to update that very soon.

update for 1001 things in 101 days

Ok, so I now realise that writing a list of 101 things to do while I was pregnant and looking after only one kid was kinda silly ;) Not much progress all round, unfortunately, but hoping that I will be able to pick up my game in 2011 :)

And IF anyone is interested in a blow-by-blow account of my snail-like progress, I am randomly updating with details here. (more of a reference point for me)

So here goes:

KIDS AND FAMILY

1 . Make a baby album for K for the first 2 years of her life.
2 . Make a baby album for L for the first 2 years of their life.
3 . Update facebook photos of K once a month. (0/33)
4 . Take the k to the park at least once a week for 50 weeks (this is for her playtime, separate to just walking R) (0/50)
5 . Update facebook photos of L once a month.
6 . Take K out on a special date (one-on-one time) once a month after L born
7 . Go to an Aquarium
8 . Go to the zoo near playgroup
9 . Go to Zoorasia again
10 . Take K to a "carnival" (Dora the explorer reference there) or circus
11 . Ride on a ferris wheel with K



EXTRAVAGANCE

12 . Drink the bottle of French Champagne J brought back from France (perhaps to celebrate 5th marriage anniversary?)
13 . Drink the wine (Tempranillo) we brought back from Argentina
14 . Eat Peking duck at "8"
15 . Eat out at Bistro du Moulin, @ Kichijoji without the kid(s)
16 . Eat 焼肉　at "北京" again
17 . Get J to take me to 焼き鳥



JAPAN/TRAVEL

18 . Visit friends in Oita
19 . Visit 2 prefectures I haven't been to before. (0/2) (Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Toyama, Fukui, Mie, Shiga, Wakayama, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa or Ehime)
20 . Visit 5 shrines or temples I haven't been to before (esp in Kamakura). (0/5)
21 . Go ski/snowboarding at least once (assuming not pregnant during ski season)
22 . Travel to an overseas country (other than Australia) at least once (would love to go to Taiwan, or perhaps to California and tour the wineries (this is real a dream item! I know that chances are it won't come true, but I can always hope…) )

SOCIAL

23 . Host playdate/morning tea at home at least 12 times (2/12)
24 . Have J's 幼馴染 over at least once a year (0/3)
25 . Have J's friends(manatee) over at least once a year (0/3)
26 . Have J's parents over at least once every 4 months



HEALTH/FITNESS/HOBBIES

27 . Get back to pre-pregnancy weight (almost there -- 1~2kg to go)
28 . Be able to fit into my Helly Hansen bamboo pants again
29 . Follow a daily face firming ritual every day for 2 months in succession (0/2)
30 . Get a professional massage at least once.
31 . Get a professional pedicure at least once.
32 . Drink at least 1L of water every day for a month
33 . Drink at least 1.5L of water every day for a month
34 . Drink 2L of water every day for a month
35 . Swim once a week for 12weeks (1/12)
36 . Swim 1.5km in 30mins
37 . Run twice a week, for 12weeks (0/12)
38 . Run 3km ten times (0/10)
39 . Run 5km 5 times (0/5)
40 . Run 10km 2 times (0/2)
41 . Go cycling with J and kids (in bike seats)
42 . Go hiking (maybe Takao-san or around Kamakura) with kids
43 . Go to a tea ceremony (e.g. at a 祭り) 13/2/2010 at 地区センター
44 . Get regular dental checks, at least once a year (0/3)



DETOX

45 . Have a computer free day at least once a week for 12 weeks (0/12)
46 . Spend a week with no internet (skype an exception)
47 . Spend a week with no TV
48 . Go for a week without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert
49 . Go for 2 weeks in a row without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert(0/2)
50 . Go for a month without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert.




USING MY BRAIN

51 . Study Japanese for at least 30 minutes once a month (0/33)
52 . Read a novel in Japanese
53 . Sit JLPT or JETRO test
54 . Read 5 novels in English (2/5)



DURING PREGNANCY

55 . Do yoga dvd once a week (starting now)

MONEY AND SAVINGS

56 . Start Mon-Sun week budget and refresh self each Monday for 12 weeks in a row (0/12)
57 . Once completed above, continue with 家計簿 every month.
58 . Make a bank book in each child's name.
59 . Use this bank book to make an education fund, depositing at least 5,000 yen per child per month (adjust as budget allows).
60 . Save 10万円 in 500yen coins
61 . Go three whole months (not necessarily in succession) without buying any single clothing item for any member of the family (0/3)
62 . Get our weekly shopping (groceries only) down to 6000 yen (hahaha! Can only try I guess…)
63 . Be able to put away 5000yen a month to pay back money for the car.
64 . Be able to put at least 5000 yen away per month for a travel fund

EVENTS

65. Do 七五三 for K (2010, 2012)
66 . Get a professional family photo done
67 . Take a family Christmas photo (1/2)



AROUND THE HOUSE

68 . Start a herb garden.
69 . Grow a nice, grassy lawn
70 . Get rid of anything we don't use and is still unpacked after 6 months (by July 2010)
71 . Go through all clothes and donate to charity or recycle anything we don't need.


ORGANISING

72 . Organise the playroom so it's easy to clean and keep (relatively!) tidy.
73 . Do something about the 押し入れ in our bedroom.
74 . Follow weekly cleaning schedule for 4 weeks in a row (0/4)
75 . Follow weekly cleaning schedule for 3 months (0/3)



COOKING

76 . Learn to make 10 recipes by heart (1/10)
77 . Cook fish for dinner 2 times a week for 12 weeks (1/12)
78 . Attempt to make 漬物
79 . Make a pie crust that I am happy with!
80 . Make at least 15 recipes out of oven recipe book



BEING HANDY (I AM SO NOT HANDY, LOL!!)

81 . Sew ties in doona covers (so doonas don't slip about) (0/4)
82 . Take up pants that are too long
83 . Take up curtains / fix curtain with hole in it
84 . Learn how to sew something simple.
85 . Remake a piece of my clothing into something K can wear

PERSONAL

86 . Write a list of things I am grateful for once a month (0/33 ok, so cant count how many months that is already, but I am doing this every month)87 . Get a psychic reading
88 . Apply for permanent residency (putting docs in this Friday, wish me luck!!)
89 . Write a letter to Aunty E, Uncle M, and Uncle G at least 2 times a year
90 . Go to the hairdressers at least once a year
OTHER


91 . Finish South America traveblog
92 . Start making 年賀状 snd Christmas cards at the beginning of December every year (1/3).
93 . File all received 年賀状 by the end of January every year, updating addresses on computer list (0/3)
94 . Start writing Xmas cards at the beginning of December every year (0/3)
95 . Make a blog list of all the countries I have been to, and dates of travel (referring to passports and photos)
96 . Make a blog list of all mountains I have climbed in Japan
97 . Make a blog list of the places in Japan I have visited (use photos as reference)
98 . Import all photos from old computer to current computer, AND save on disks
99 . Save all digital photos on facebook or Picasa or similar on-line photo storage site
100 . Update how the list is going on my blog at least 6 times (1/6 )
101 . Donate 500 yen to charity for every unfinished task at the end of this challenge.

101 things in 1001 days

Reading Kel's 101 things inspired me to try it out for myself- but I have to say that making this list was hard work. In the end I had to cull a LOT of items, like "climb at least a 1700m mountain" and several items relating to overseas adventure travel, lol! I kinda forgot that I am not in my 20s and not footloose and fancy-free anymore ;(

I am still not sure if I have managed to write a realistic list anyway or not - having kids takes a lot out of the playing field. I think that the hardest things will actually be just getting the time TO MYSELF to do half the things (especially the running and swimming.....) But, I can only try, right?

Soooooooooo...... here goes: 101 things in 1001 days.

Start date February 1st, 2010. Finish date October 28th, 2012
The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Red means completed, italics means in progress.
Items are in no particular order.

KIDS AND FAMILY

1 . Make a baby album for K for the first 2 years of her life.
2 . Make a baby album for TJ-baby for the first 2 years of their life.
3 . Update facebook photos of K once a month. (0/33)
4 . Take the k to the park at least once a week for 50 weeks (this is for her playtime, separate to just walking R) (0/50)
5 . Update facebook photos of TJ-baby once a month.
6 . Take K out on a special date (one-on-one time) once a month after TJ-baby born
7 . Go to an Aquarium
8 . Go to the zoo near playgroup
9 . Go to Zoorasia again
10 . Take K to a "carnival" (Dora the explorer reference there) or circus
11 . Ride on a ferris wheel with K

EXTRAVAGANCE

12 . Drink the bottle of French Champagne J brought back from France (perhaps to celebrate 5th marriage anniversary?)
13 . Drink the wine (Tempranillo) we brought back from Argentina
14 . Eat Peking duck at "8"
15 . Eat out at Bistro du Moulin, @ Kichijoji without the kid(s)
16 . Eat 焼肉　at "北京" again
17 . Get J to take me to 焼き鳥

JAPAN/TRAVEL

18 . Visit friends in Oita
19 . Visit 2 prefectures I haven't been to before. (0/2) (Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Toyama, Fukui, Mie, Shiga, Wakayama, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa or Ehime)
20 . Visit 5 shrines or temples I haven't been to before (esp in Kamakura). (0/5)
21 . Go ski/snowboarding at least once (assuming not pregnant during ski season)
22 . Travel to an overseas country (other than Australia) at least once (would love to go to Taiwan, or perhaps to California and tour the wineries (this is real a dream item! I know that chances are it won't come true, but I can always hope…) )

SOCIAL

23 . Host playdate/morning tea at home at least 12 times (0/12)
24 . Have J's 幼馴染 over at least once a year (0/3)
25 . Have J's friends(manatee) over at least once a year (0/3)
26 . Have J's parents over at least once every 4 months (0/8)

HEALTH/FITNESS/HOBBIES

27 . Get back to pre-pregnancy weight
28 . Be able to fit into my Helly Hansen bamboo pants again
29 . Follow a daily face firming ritual every day for 2 months in succession (0/2)
30 . Get a professional massage at least once.
31 . Get a professional pedicure at least once.
32 . Drink at least 1L of water every day for a month
33 . Drink at least 1.5L of water every day for a month
34 . Drink 2L of water every day for a month
35 . Swim once a week for 12weeks (0/12)
36 . Swim 1.5km in 30mins
37 . Run twice a week, for 12weeks (0/12)
38 . Run 3km ten times (0/10)
39 . Run 5km 5 times (0/5)
40 . Run 10km 2 times (0/2)
41 . Go cycling with J and kids (in bike seats)
42 . Go hiking (maybe Takao-san or around Kamakura) with kids
43 . Go to a tea ceremony (e.g. at a 祭り)
44 . Get regular dental checks, at least once a year (0/3)

DETOX

45 . Have a computer free day at least once a week for 12 weeks (0/12)
46 . Spend a week with no internet (skype an exception)
47 . Spend a week with no TV
48 . Go for a week without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert
49 . Go for 2 weeks in a row without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert(0/2)
50 . Go for a month without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert.

USING MY BRAIN

51 . Study Japanese for at least 30 minutes once a month (0/33)
52 . Read a novel in Japanese
53 . Sit JLPT or JETRO test
54 . Read 5 novels in English (0/5)


DURING PREGNANCY

55 . Do yoga dvd once a week (starting now)

MONEY AND SAVINGS

56 . Start Mon-Sun week budget and refresh self each Monday for 12 weeks in a row (0/12)
57 . Once completed above, continue with 家計簿 every month.
58 . Make a bank book in each child's name.
59 . Use this bank book to make an education fund, depositing at least 5,000 yen per child per month (adjust as budget allows).
60 . Save 10万円 in 500yen coins
61 . Go three whole months (not necessarily in succession) without buying any single clothing item for any member of the family (0/3)
62 . Get our weekly shopping (groceries only) down to 6000 yen (hahaha! Can only try I guess…)
63 . Be able to put away 5000yen a month to pay back money for the car.
64 . Be able to put at least 5000 yen away per month for a travel fund.

EVENTS

65 . Do 七五三 for K (2010, 2012)
66 . Get a professional family photo done
67 . Take a family Christmas photo (0/2)

AROUND THE HOUSE

68 . Start a herb garden.
69 . Grow a nice, grassy lawn
70 . Get rid of anything we don't use and is still unpacked after 6 months (by July 2010)
71 . Go through all clothes and donate to charity or recycle anything we don't need.

ORGANISING

72 . Organise the playroom so it's easy to clean and keep (relatively!) tidy.
73 . Do something about the 押し入れ in our bedroom.
74 . Follow weekly cleaning schedule for 4 weeks in a row (0/4)
75 . Follow weekly cleaning schedule for 3 months (0/3)

COOKING

76 . Learn to make 10 recipes by heart (0/10)
77 . Cook fish for dinner 2 times a week for 12 weeks (0/12)
78 . Attempt to make 漬物
79 . Make a pie crust that I am happy with!
80 . Make at least 15 recipes out of oven recipe book

BEING HANDY

81 . Sew ties in doona covers (so doonas don't slip about) (0/4)
82 . Take up pants that are too long
83 . Take up curtains / fix curtain with hole in it
84 . Learn how to sew something simple.
85 . Remake a piece of my clothing into something K can wear

PERSONAL

86 . Write a list of things I am grateful for once a month (0/33)
87 . Get a psychic reading
88 . Apply for permanent residency
89 . Write a letter to Aunty E, Uncle M, and Uncle G at least 2 times a year
90 . Go to the hairdressers at least once a year

OTHER

91 . Finish South America traveblog
92 . Start making 年賀状 at the beginning of December every year (0/3).
93 . File all received 年賀状 by the end of January every year, updating addresses on computer list (0/3)
94 . Start writing Xmas cards at the beginning of December every year (0/3)
95 . Make a blog list of all the countries I have been to, and dates of travel (referring to passports and photos)
96 . Make a blog list of all mountains I have climbed in Japan
97 . Make a blog list of the places in Japan I have visited (use photos as reference)
98 . Import all photos from old computer to current computer, AND save on disks
99 . Save all digital photos on facebook or Picasa or similar on-line photo storage site
100 . Update how the list is going on my blog at least 6 times (0/6)
101 . Donate 500 yen to charity for every unfinished task at the end of this challenge.