Happy Birthday, my darling baby boy. It is so hard to believe that, two years ago, I thought labor was almost over and I still had 9 more hours of 40 to go. It was worth every minute.
I love you and I am so proud of you. May this year be one filled with blessings, adventures, laughter, love and joy!
jueves, 31 de agosto de 2006
martes, 29 de agosto de 2006
nothing is going on
I am not really sure how I can say nothing is going on, but that's kind of how I feel. Today is the first day of class and not a hint of adrenaline is present in my system. My bro-in-law comes in on Saturday and I feel neither particularly excited nor dismayed to have him stay with us. My children could run me over with their hotwheels and I probably would not even feel it. I think I've got oral thrush--among other pleasantries--and I really don't even care. C's potty training messes all over the house don't even phase me. He turns two on Thursday and I have nothing planned for him. It is hot and sticky and muggy and I just would like it to rain, to cleanse the air and perhaps my soul. The degree of apathy I feel right now toward Life in general doesn't even amaze me. I just feel like I'm existing in a state of nonfeeling. So...sorry about the lack of posts right now. There really hasn't been anything about which to write. I am hoping that the enthusiasm of being in class tonight might kick my rear back into proverbial gear, but even that is hard when I am obviously yet the latest victim of the Non-Native Speaker Discrimination Act in my department, no matter what my excellent (and departmentally recognized) teaching evals say. Have I hit my glass ceiling? For as much as I try to be a stay-at-home-mom and yet still advance even little steps in my career, I feel like I cannot go any further without either going full-time or finishing the dreaded PhD--which is something I really do not want. So who knows.
Time to get my eldest out of bed. I hope the rest of you have a wonderful day!
Time to get my eldest out of bed. I hope the rest of you have a wonderful day!
lunes, 14 de agosto de 2006
tagteam response...
Okay, Chief...here you go!
10 years ago... 1996, in my 2nd of 3 years teaching ESL in the mountains of rural Japan. August, I had returned home for my 2nd of 2 visits home during my stay abroad and brought 5 Japanese friends with me to visit my home state of Oregon. Although they couldn't speak English and my parents could not speak Japanese, a connection was made and they were friends for life.
5 years ago... 2001, in Sweden with my husband as he pursued his MS degree, me pregnant with my daughter K. August, I was returning home to find a place to live and prepare for the birth.
1 year ago... 2005, here in Suburbia USA (no, NOT Hanalei...rats). C was about to turn 1. Hot, sticky, ugh. Went to the Jersey beach house with S&R and M&P and families. Great fun.
5 songs I know all the words to... hang on, do foreign languages count? Tu amor me hace bien by Marc Anthony, More than Words by Extreme, Anata ni aitakute by Matsuda Seiko (and I ROCK in karaoke on that song, I might add...talk about blowing the Japanese away! jajaja), Hey Jude by The Beatles, and Cuidarte el alma by sexy puertorriqueño Chayanne.
5 snacks... 1. Green and Black dark organic chocolate with mint center. 2. Whole Foods Dark Chocolate with almonds. 3. Dagoba chocolate "Conacado" 73% chocolate. 4. my own homemade guacamole. 5. Kettle chips, preferably dill and sour cream but I'll take lightly salted or salt and fresh ground pepper any day.
5 things I'd do with $100 million: 1. pay off the mortgage 2. put plenty away for kids' education 3. send some to my friends around the world who really could use it 4. put away for my retirement. 5. move to South America
5 places I'd run away to: 1. Perú (duh) 2. Puget Sound, WA, USA. 3. Nakanojo, Gunma, Japan 4. Kauai 5. Capri
5 things I'd never wear: Bell bottoms, hoop skirt, girdle, strapless gown (not enough to hold it up LOL), unpadded bra (JA!)...sure can't say g-strings, can I, Those Who Know Me Best???
5 fav TV shows: a-hem..Desperate Housewives, Bugs Bunny Road Runner Show, Antiques Roadshow, BBC Britcoms (especially Vicar of Dibley and Appearances!), Funniest Home Videos
5 greatest joys: my children, my love, my friends, my family, my garden
5 favorite toys: my Mac (what a nerd), my camera (no, not digital!), the tools in my toolbox, my calligraphy pen, MQE's Ipod that he never uses so I have now adopted it...LOL
Okay...did it!
10 years ago... 1996, in my 2nd of 3 years teaching ESL in the mountains of rural Japan. August, I had returned home for my 2nd of 2 visits home during my stay abroad and brought 5 Japanese friends with me to visit my home state of Oregon. Although they couldn't speak English and my parents could not speak Japanese, a connection was made and they were friends for life.
5 years ago... 2001, in Sweden with my husband as he pursued his MS degree, me pregnant with my daughter K. August, I was returning home to find a place to live and prepare for the birth.
1 year ago... 2005, here in Suburbia USA (no, NOT Hanalei...rats). C was about to turn 1. Hot, sticky, ugh. Went to the Jersey beach house with S&R and M&P and families. Great fun.
5 songs I know all the words to... hang on, do foreign languages count? Tu amor me hace bien by Marc Anthony, More than Words by Extreme, Anata ni aitakute by Matsuda Seiko (and I ROCK in karaoke on that song, I might add...talk about blowing the Japanese away! jajaja), Hey Jude by The Beatles, and Cuidarte el alma by sexy puertorriqueño Chayanne.
5 snacks... 1. Green and Black dark organic chocolate with mint center. 2. Whole Foods Dark Chocolate with almonds. 3. Dagoba chocolate "Conacado" 73% chocolate. 4. my own homemade guacamole. 5. Kettle chips, preferably dill and sour cream but I'll take lightly salted or salt and fresh ground pepper any day.
5 things I'd do with $100 million: 1. pay off the mortgage 2. put plenty away for kids' education 3. send some to my friends around the world who really could use it 4. put away for my retirement. 5. move to South America
5 places I'd run away to: 1. Perú (duh) 2. Puget Sound, WA, USA. 3. Nakanojo, Gunma, Japan 4. Kauai 5. Capri
5 things I'd never wear: Bell bottoms, hoop skirt, girdle, strapless gown (not enough to hold it up LOL), unpadded bra (JA!)...sure can't say g-strings, can I, Those Who Know Me Best???
5 fav TV shows: a-hem..Desperate Housewives, Bugs Bunny Road Runner Show, Antiques Roadshow, BBC Britcoms (especially Vicar of Dibley and Appearances!), Funniest Home Videos
5 greatest joys: my children, my love, my friends, my family, my garden
5 favorite toys: my Mac (what a nerd), my camera (no, not digital!), the tools in my toolbox, my calligraphy pen, MQE's Ipod that he never uses so I have now adopted it...LOL
Okay...did it!
domingo, 13 de agosto de 2006
classics...
"Mommy, if C is just going to bother me all day today, then I want a little sister." --K, precocious age 4.5
viernes, 11 de agosto de 2006
fear of confrontation
I have always hated confrontation. I tremble for thirty minutes following even the most polite correction I can make to another if I am correct and that person is clearly in the wrong.
Take this morning, when I had to open my front door and politely ask the woman walking her dog along the sidewalk in front of my house, whose dog had clearly just finished doing its business in my hostas, to clean up after her dog. She said she didn't think he (for some reason I always think of dogs as males) did anything. I mentioned that the dog was kicking its legs after squatting, to which she responded that he always does that. Then, as always, I have to find some other defense to validate my asking this of her, so I produced my two young children and their love of playing in the dirt.
She went backwards in a gesture to look but didn't go all the way back to where her dog did its job.
It is not only this situation, albeit a common one which I must face often living on this street, but even with students, over email, etc. I am learning that I would not at all make a good boss because I do NOT like correcting people--although my constructive criticism skills have improved greatly with teaching. This particular event occurred one hour ago and my heart still races, my fingers still tremble and I need chocolate!!!
At least I am in touch with and am working on embracing all my character flaws, right? :)
Take this morning, when I had to open my front door and politely ask the woman walking her dog along the sidewalk in front of my house, whose dog had clearly just finished doing its business in my hostas, to clean up after her dog. She said she didn't think he (for some reason I always think of dogs as males) did anything. I mentioned that the dog was kicking its legs after squatting, to which she responded that he always does that. Then, as always, I have to find some other defense to validate my asking this of her, so I produced my two young children and their love of playing in the dirt.
She went backwards in a gesture to look but didn't go all the way back to where her dog did its job.
It is not only this situation, albeit a common one which I must face often living on this street, but even with students, over email, etc. I am learning that I would not at all make a good boss because I do NOT like correcting people--although my constructive criticism skills have improved greatly with teaching. This particular event occurred one hour ago and my heart still races, my fingers still tremble and I need chocolate!!!
At least I am in touch with and am working on embracing all my character flaws, right? :)
jueves, 10 de agosto de 2006
my little striptease artist
It is nothing new.
C strips himself of his diaper and leaves it somewhere in the house.
The tease?
He puts his shorts back on to look like nothing has happened...except that he looks a lot skinnier due to the fact that the bulky Bumpkin is now off his tushie.
Oh..Please...let me have him trained by January. Then he can start preschool mid-year!!!!!
C strips himself of his diaper and leaves it somewhere in the house.
The tease?
He puts his shorts back on to look like nothing has happened...except that he looks a lot skinnier due to the fact that the bulky Bumpkin is now off his tushie.
Oh..Please...let me have him trained by January. Then he can start preschool mid-year!!!!!
martes, 8 de agosto de 2006
back in the throes...
"Honey, C just pooped all over the carpet..."
Panicked cry from the kitchen. I hear little feet come running, followed by the heavier, tired plod of Daddy's step. I step into the garden room. Sure enough, on the rug are two little spots so I grab the towels and the vinegar water and clean it all up, as I have done so many times before.
Funny, I was hoping to not have to be the one to ever deal with The Gross Stuff...those emanations of children that once would have me running to the porcelain throne with nauseas. Now it seems I am the only one who ever has to clean it all up.
Can you tell we are in full potty training mode yet again??? Once this one is done, NEVER AGAIN!!! I know, I am supposed to be enjoying this. As my wise Spock tells me, it is the MEMORY of these experiences which are much more enjoyable than the reality.
Panicked cry from the kitchen. I hear little feet come running, followed by the heavier, tired plod of Daddy's step. I step into the garden room. Sure enough, on the rug are two little spots so I grab the towels and the vinegar water and clean it all up, as I have done so many times before.
Funny, I was hoping to not have to be the one to ever deal with The Gross Stuff...those emanations of children that once would have me running to the porcelain throne with nauseas. Now it seems I am the only one who ever has to clean it all up.
Can you tell we are in full potty training mode yet again??? Once this one is done, NEVER AGAIN!!! I know, I am supposed to be enjoying this. As my wise Spock tells me, it is the MEMORY of these experiences which are much more enjoyable than the reality.
viernes, 4 de agosto de 2006
photos...
I have my vacation photos up on Snapfish. If you are interested in seeing them, I will invite you to access them (anonymously, of course) through the Snapfish website...there are so many!
You can email me through: furukawafoursome@yahoo.com
You can email me through: furukawafoursome@yahoo.com
jueves, 3 de agosto de 2006
Malawi, revisited
What else to say? I can't cry anymore. I want to scream of the unfairness, the helplessness, the hopelessness. A man beating the odds in his country, bettering himself with education in order to help his country. And for what end? To become yet another statistic? To serve as yet another illustration of the disparity between 1st and 3rd world?
This is what we received from Jones' wife.
I would like to inform you that Jones W. Kazembe has passed away on 8th July at Mangochi, burial on 9th July at his home area Phalombe Southern region of Malawi.
It was ashort illness, he had malaria on 7th of July, during night I found that he is failing to wake up, to turn up the neck and even to produce the word, we take him to Monkey-bay hospital where they discovered that it was Meninjitis, due to lack of medicine in our hospital we transfered to Mangochi District hospital and he died on 8th at 4:22am.
Am the wife
Jolly
This is what we received from Jones' wife.
I would like to inform you that Jones W. Kazembe has passed away on 8th July at Mangochi, burial on 9th July at his home area Phalombe Southern region of Malawi.
It was ashort illness, he had malaria on 7th of July, during night I found that he is failing to wake up, to turn up the neck and even to produce the word, we take him to Monkey-bay hospital where they discovered that it was Meninjitis, due to lack of medicine in our hospital we transfered to Mangochi District hospital and he died on 8th at 4:22am.
Am the wife
Jolly
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