A Coincidence?

Hi everyone! I did't get to update for a while. I want you to look at these pictures.
The picture (left) shows the time I received a phone call notifying me that I finished my old job. (I didn't get fired. It was my rental house business, and one of the property was sold finally.)

The picture (right) shows the time I received an email regards to my new job. A new project for me to work on!

It was my son's birthday that day, and we had a busy weekend ahead. I wasn't sure if I could take on a project, but I didn't want to say no to my first project on this job. I was notified later that day that I won't be starting on the new project until Monday. Another miracle?

Everything seems to be following into places lately, and I'm so happy about my new job and things that I'm learning from it.

More updates to follow!

My Dream

I drew this in 2010. I added the words using pixlr.com today. I remember thinking which way to take next. I felt something was missing from my life.

 I found this notepad last week, and I had to have it. It was $2. I recently posted my language learning ABCs and "J" was Juggle in style. I thought this was really cute way to visualize that. The illustrator's (Bonnie Marcus) website is here.

I wish I could say that I'm getting better at juggling. In fact, I'm far away from juggling "in style". No way! I'm dropping everything everywhere, and if I were to drew myself of this month's schedule, I would be covered with the mountains of laundries! (The season change...)

For language learning, though, I think that's what it was missing 3 years ago. I always had a passion for languages. I just wasn't confident in using the languages. I still often wish my language skills are better, I know I have to work hard everyday to improve. I challenge myself each day to different tasks of learning. As I discover more about languages, I understand more about myself. It's really cool. So I can confidently say that I found my dream. It has been the same since as long as I can remember. I think I'm going to draw another picture of me chasing my dream!

New Origami Craft Pictures

These origami crafts are for L-chan's birthday party. I'm happy with how these modular boxes turned out. The texture of the paper I used was perfect for these boxes. You might want to check the link for more ideas. There are pictures of boxes that readers have posted. 

I quickly made this crown too. It probably took me 5 minutes. I used scrapbook paper (cardboard paper) as instructed on here.

The room has been decorated, with a help from A-chan, The cake is frosted and A-chan has already set up the dinning table for dinner. We picked the flowers for the center piece. I can't wait to see what L-chan thinks of all these when she comes home!

( She loved it!!  The picture below was added on May 24)

My Embarrassing moments

Ok... here is my attempt to laugh at my mistakes.

I just heard "my mom's so stupid that she did..." jokes a couple of days ago. I feel like now I am the one to laugh at!

I will share 3 of my embarrassing moments.

1. I thought the picnic table signs are shrine signs. I first saw it on highway, I said to my husband, there is a shrine in Canada?? I was glad no one else heard me say it.

2. I always called fly swatter instead of fly sweater. Again, probably the only person heard it was my husband.

3. I misunderstood chess pawns as chess ponds. Oops, I just published it (I edited it later) on my previous post. I wonder how many has seen it? On Facebook? Now I feel really embarrassed.

Now you can laugh at me. I promise I won't make these mistakes again!! But I'm sure I will make many more mistakes! Hope it will become less and less as I seriously learn to write better in English. (and practicing pronunciation should also help.)

Here is a post that I read today.

How to Immediately Become a More Productive (and Better) Writer

What do you think? I thought the point #2 was interesting. So much to improve!

A Good Read "How to Be an American Housewife"

I really felt good after reading this novel. I enjoyed it so much, because I could understand what the main charactor Shoko is going through. By saying this, I don't want you to think I had the same experiences that she had, (the author says that some of the stories are of her mom's real stories) but I think I could have been her friend. I felt like this is how my daughters could describe me and my life as when they grow up. 

There were parts (very small parts) that talked about Mormons. I don't think that the author is a Mormon (a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and I didn't understand why she picked Shoko's husband to be a Mormon in this book. From what she described, it left me thinking he couldn't be a Mormon that I know... I don't know why he couldn't be as any Christian. Hmmm.

Other than that, from a book I picked up at a store for $5, and I didn't have any expectations other than read someone else's fictional experiences, I thought this book was very good. I got a lot of insights. If you already understand a lot has changed since the postwar era which this book is based on at the beginning, and know that there are stereotypes of both Japanese and American cultures, I think some of you might enjoy reading this book too. I'm already thinking to read more on this topic.

Read more about this book on here.

Boy's Day (Children's Day) 2013 update

Japanese Children's day was on May 5th, and we had a fun time celebrating it over the weekend. I wrote about what Girl's day was like at my house in March, so I will write about what my boys did.

Kabuto display (upper left) was made by my teacher from elementary school. Koinobori (upper right) was made by L-chan. My kids' school is not a Japanese immersion school or anything, so when she brought home Koinobori, I was so happy that she was comfortable sharing her culture at school. (I went to talk a little bit about Boy's day with her class the week before.) 

Koinobori on the lower left is the one we made at home while older kids are at school. I cut out eyes and scales and A-chan glued them on the carps. I used magnetic wreath hook to hang it, so the Koinobori can go up and down. 

My parents sent my boys Japanese snacks from Japan. They specially ordered ahead those Koinobori themed snacks and sent the package to so we would get them on time. (The Girl's day snacks didn't get here in time for the party, but we still enjoyed them all) We really appreciated their thoughtfulness.  

It's great that I can find many more post about this day on other's people's blogs. I found one about Koinobori song.

Koinobori
(Japanese Transliteration)
Yane yori takai koinobori.
Okii magoi wa otoosan.
Chisai higoi wa kodomotachi.
Omoshiro soni oyideru.
Carp Windsocks
(English)
Carp windsocks are above the roof.
The biggest carp is the father,
The smaller carp are children,
They’re enjoying swimming in the sky.

After I posted the picture of the Samurai helmets, I made more and were looking for the way to display them, and this is what I did. Helmet wearing chess pawns! (Chess happened to be my son's favorite game.)

As I looked for something to give to the boys, (well, I don't know if parents give something to kids on Children's day or not, but Girl's had a party, so I wanted my boys to have something to remember this day by) I picked the book that I knew K-kun wanted to read, but couldn't find what T-kun might like. When I saw this DVD of Ninja Turtles, I thought "Perfect!"

In this picture, (sorry it's blurry) the turtles are wearing the Samurai Helmets. I thought it was something Japanesey, and fun to watch on Boy's day weekend. I had never seen it. Many people (including my husband) said that they grew up watching Ninja Turtles. The next day of watching Ninja Turtles, we had pizza for lunch. T-kun said something like "how appropriate!"

I have a couple more pictures to update, but I will post this now. If you are a mom who celebrates Japanese festivals and celebration, I really recommend that you visit hiraganamama's blog. She has tons of links (very well researched, useful and cute) and you can read about her family celebrated them.

I hope you got a little taste of what we did for this year's Boy's day weekend. I have a couple more pictures to update, so please come back to visit again!

A Product for Sushi-Savvy Toddler!

Source: janmstore.com via Kozue on Pinterest

While I was looking around Japanese American National Museum site, I found this. I pinned it on my pinterest board on Fun Stuff. Sushi Touch-and-Feel stroller cards for Sushi-savvy toddler? Wow! I'm amazed. I'm amazed how much things have changed.  I remember it was not long ago, sushi was considered yucky, uncool, and foreign. It has become more popular, and last 2-3years (if I remember correctly) the Northern city of Ontario like ours got 2 Japanese restraunts where you can eat sushi.

I'm amazed at someone's creativity. I wonder what made the creator come up with the idea of making Sushi Touch-and-Feel.

I wonder how many have been sold? I love it. It's a great conversation starter, don't you think? It makes me smile just looking at this. I should get this for myself for that reason :)

So, now you know what I like. Sorry if you don't like Sushi. I understand it's not everyone's favorite. But if you LOVE sushi like me, I hope you enjoyed this post!

P.S. I haven't pinned many on my board, but you might find something interesting.

May 5th---It's Boy's Day!

A new picture for the month of May is up! I made these Origami Samurai Helmets for L-chan's classmates. The boy's day is celebrated in Japan on May 5th and unlike Girl's day it's a national holiday! Actually, it's known as Children's day on the Japanese calendar.

For more explanation of this holiday, I found this link to be helpful

I also liked the Japanese American Museum site about Koinobori. Koinobori is a carp-streamer that you see around Japan this time of the year. I think sometime this week, I'm going to make more Boy's day crafts and post it on this blog.

The weather in April here was so cold and not Spring like, so I can't believe it's May already. As a child, I looked forward to Boy's day (Children's day) every year. I have a younger brother, so it was fun to celebrate Boy's day as a family. I got to eat Chimaki, which is special rice dumplings eaten on the Boy's day. I think Chimaki was served at school at lunch time as well on the week of Children's day. If you don't know what chimaki looks like, watch this YouTube video. Good (and yummy) memories!

Reflection on My Career Goals.

Whew! I finally filed our taxes. I know I shouldn't have waited for this long, but I'm glad it's done. The new thing for us this year's tax filing was to include the income from our solar panels. I can't believe it has been a year since the installation. It was much warmer last year by this time in April. I remember M-chan was still a little baby.

Filing tax made me reflect on the business side of our lives. Also last week, we had an exciting news about our rental properties. One of them has a "sold" sign in the front right now!. I'll be so glad to have that experience behind me, and dive into the new opportunity that came on my way.

One third of the year has passed. I wonder what the rest of the year will look like for me.  So far, I've improved the most in the area of communication. I will keep you updated! 

I Can't Sleep Well If I Know Others are Working!

As you can see, I changed my blog background to a picture of cherry blossom, but it doesn't mean I'm enjoying the spring here. I caught a cold last week, and it was pretty depressing to see more snow yesterday. 

Everyone else I know seemed enjoying spring, and cherry blossom weeks ago. 

The same thing about daily activities. 

Everyone else is enjoying the end of the day, or has been working hours already when I'm just getting myself ready for the day. 

I feel like showing up to a meeting late in pajamas. 

So this is going to be my quest of the month. (Last month was Multilingual and Identity) I'm going to find out more how others are adjusting different time zones in their businesses and online social lives.

Right now, I'm thinking I have to go to bed early, and get up early. I don't have a problem with that, I just have to stick to the plan if that solves everything. 

I know businesses use scheduled posts. I read an article about mistakes a mayor made in Japan. His scheduled comment "I'm enjoying a peaceful morning today" was posted an hour after the earthquake last week. He deleted it as soon as he realized it was irrelevant, but many people had already seen it. 

Live and learn, I guess, but I'm going to experiment and report my findings!