Things I Learned This Weekend

Women can fix the world

I had dinner on Friday night with five amazing, fun, smart, witty women. Over much white wine, we covered pod-casts, sex education, cyber-bullying, running, decluttering, books, blogs, the glass ceiling, tennis, part-time work, and the scary future that is parenting teens. And we had ginger mojitos, looking out at the sea. By the time we got taxis, we’d solved everything. I just can’t remember what the solution was.

Breakfast is a dish best served alone

On Saturday morning, my husband brought me breakfast in bed – pastries and coffee – yum. And in a shock move, the kids ate the pastries. On Sunday morning, while the kids were watching TV, my husband brought me another breakfast in bed. I ate it while reading a book, with every last crumb just for me.


I learned how to spell learned

I usually write learned, not learnt. Then one editor corrected something I wrote to learnt. So I switched. Then another editor corrected it from learnt back to learned. So this weekend I googled it, and it turns out both are fine, but learned is more common. There you go.

WAHMs – I Salute You

As the countdown to summer holidays rolled on last month, one cohort of parents in particular were bracing themselves with an odd mixture of relief and outright fear. On the one hand, it’s great to have no more school-runs, no more homework, and a break for the kids. But for WAHMs, who work while the kids are at school, there’s a problem – how to keep going while the kids are off?

If you work for yourself, taking the summer off is an option, but not one that everyone can afford to take. Not working usually means not earning, and can also mean missed opportunities or lost clients. Scaling back is feasible for some, but for others, the only solution is a mix of summer camps and working while the kids are at home.

For me, newly self-employed, it’s not an issue this year. My smallest has been home with me since I finished up in my job in April, so I work at night, after they go to bed. School holidays are 100% a good thing this year – no school runs, no homework, and two big sisters to keep the small boy occupied. In theory at least.

Because we’ve been away, yesterday was day 2 of this new reality, and I was ripe for a bit of complacency.

The girls were making potions out of daisy petals, and the small boy was playing with Lego and singing to himself. Peace and harmony. A perfect chance to catch up on some admin. Not proper work that required actual thinking, just some emails and some spreadsheets. Lovely.

The 80-20 Rule of Holidays

Our holiday was 80% amazing, and 20% hot-sticky-cross-cranky. Or at specific moments, 80% hot-sticky-cross-cranky and 20% I’m a parent, get me out of here.

There’s the stuff that can happen on any holiday – even before kids, or when they’re older and a trip away (presumably) becomes a relaxing event. Like when a dying wasp leaves its mark or the weather fluffs its lines or Sat Nav goes off in a huff, leaving you stranded on unfamiliar motorways, wishing for a good old-fashioned paper map.

Then there’s the stuff that’s small-child-specific.

This is where the 80-20 rule really comes in – where 80% of the outcomes are determined by 20% of the family members. Because you’re only as strong as your weakest link. So your lie-in is only as late as your earliest riser, and your night out is only as long as your least able night-owl.

My weakest link comes disguised as a not-so-weak rampaging three-year-old. On any given night, whether he’s in a restaurant, a playground, or sitting in an amphitheatre watching a variety show, he appears outwardly like someone who can party all night. Three times we fell for it, and stayed out till 11. Three times we were nearly broken the following day, by a querulous, enraged barrel of hot upset.

And it’s not just the nights out that had to be curtailed by (eventual) good sense. Daytime got a look-in too. More than a look-in.

Last year, our smallest boy spent the holiday locking himself into rooms, spilling drinks, and wandering off from the mobile home without seeing the need to tell anyone where he was going.

This year, he was still locking himself into rooms, spilling drinks, and wandering off from the mobile home. He was also getting into pools that were far too deep for a three-year-old non-swimmer, disappearing in the middle of restaurant meals to chase pigeons, insisting on pouring his own drinks then surprised when they spilled, completely ignoring his parents’ every request, and his favourite pastime was locking himself into the mobile home any time the rest of us were out on deck (the seriousness of this event was always inversely linked to how much food and water we had outside with us.)

My Clavicle

I just noticed, I have nice Clavicle, Jack said that's just two bones. Ha..man...

Okay, I just finished my two weeks off with Emma. This was a trial period to see if 1: I could take care of her all day without losing my mind and 2: If I would actually enjoy it. Now that the trial is over, I have to say that I am a complete idiot! Why in the world did I not think that I could handle taking care of her? I mean what kind of mom am I that thinks she can't take care of her child full time?She's such a joy to be around although I do have to make sure that I have the next activity in the cue for her. To my defensive, I think I was channeling a week during maternity leave when Emma and I didn't go anywhere the entire week. That was a hard week and I was ready to lose my mind. But what I really needed was to get out of the house! Sometimes it takes my a while to figure things out.


Now the second part of the trial was if I would enjoy it and I don't want to gloat, but it was awesome! Imagine not having to rush to get everything done, laundry, errands, drycleaning, cleaning, etc. I was able to get it all done and not feel stressed or in the ever-never-ending rat race! Plus, I was able to make dinner at night and actually plan what we were having instead of picking the quickest thing in the cupboard. So, it's suffice to say the experiment was successful. Now, I just have to figure out when I'll be staying home with her full-time. The fall has always been my favorite time of year. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Back to work..

Well, today I had my second round of interviews for a job that I'm really excited about. I'm trying not to get too excited because two months ago I interviewed for my dream job and I didn't get the job. It was absolutely heartbreaking for me! This position is a promotion and an opportunity for me to utilize my experience from all of my previous positions. Plus, it puts me in a better place financially. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Selfie ; )

 Selfie, I like selfie. 4 month ago I don't even like to being on a photo. After I lose 94 pound I got more confidence, and the backache is gone and while I run no longer out of breath, I can finally play with Noah.

I don't want Noah have weight issue like me, I was a bad example but no more. Like all moms, want our baby can have better feature than us. I hope my transform can make him believe he can achieve everything he want if he want to.

Weight Loss Update! 12 weeks after I lose 94 pounds

3 month, lose 94 pounds. Can you believe it?
My neighbors are raving about me, they all want to know how I did it.
THIS is the weight loss program I'm using.
Besides the program, I was waking 45 minutes every day and I never give up even though I wanted to. My husband says that by the 3rd weeks of faithful walking he couldn’t keep up with me and after about 10 days, my body started to feel stronger, therefore i added hiking three to four times a complete week to my walking timetable. My baby Noah keep motive me, every time I feel tired, feel depressed all I have to do is look at Noah. For Noah I can do anything.

3 month, I feel like I'm a brand new woman. I am a lot more positive! I’m not ashamed to be observed in public. I have a fresh habit and it’s clothes shopping! I'm way too lucky, married to Jack and have Noah.

Thank You and I Love You Both so Much

PS. Hope you can get some inspiration from my Weight Loss Journey
Start, 1st week, 2nd week, 3rd week, 4th week, 5th week, 6th week, 7th week, 8th week

Weight Loss Update! 8 weeks after I lose 68 pounds

Actually It's hard to imagine what I can achieve  2 month ago, I lose nearly 70 pounds! Now I searching high-heels, last time I wear high-heels was 8 years ago before Noah. This week we went to jefferson mall, I bought lots clothes and high-heels. Now more big-woman store :)

2 Month ago, I wouldn't shop in this store. I bought several skirts at this shop, which isn't fit right now. I'll make me fit these shirts next month! Watch it ;)

Weight Loss Update! 7 weeks after I lose 50 pounds, Going to the movies with good friends...

50 Pounds! it's a milestone, My husband bought some beauty products for me, sooooo sweet! Love You, Jack! And we going to the movie...

So, last Thursday, was my fun little movie date and lunch that I had set with my 2 favorite/best friends. We were all set to catch the morning 9:35am showing, Age of Ultron movie. And we were going to have lunch of course afterwards and more than likely we'd be talking and staying at the restaurant, all the way up until it was time for us, to pick up our kiddos. So, I knew dinner either had to be cooked courtesy of my Crock Pot, that I bought and brought here over 10 years ago. A moms best friend in the kitchen, I tell ya....we do love our crock pots. Hahaha. Or it would have to be an easy already rotisserie chicken from Costco, you know what I mean...it had to be an easy dinner though, because I wouldn't be home that day. Knowing this on Monday as I was writing out my weekly menu, I picked up a lean block of beef, Wednesday, I defrosted it from the freezer and so Thursday morning, I sliced and cubed it, skillet fried it in a tad of oil and salt and pepper, then I filled my crock pot up with the right amount of water and threw it into the crock pot, on high.

About to be plugged in and quickly set. I do have a counter in my kitchen obviously, but...I didn't want to move my rice cooker or anything else and as I was pressed for time (had to get dressed, wash my face, put makeup on etc etc) I just put it here and called it done!

Weight Loss Update! 6 weeks after I lose 45 pounds, The Land Before Time

Maybe because of the sickness, it's slows down. These 2 weeks I only lose 8 pounds. We all recovered now, hopefully I can keep losing weight.

Today while browsing a thrift store, I found an old favorite movie of mine: The Land Before Time. I have fond memories of watching that movie. I thought back to the plot, and just remember some kid dinosaurs having fun, being kids, getting into and out of trouble, so I went ahead and I bought it thinking Noah would love it.

When I got home, I popped the tape into the VCR, and sat down with Baileigh to watch it. The first words that were spoken were "Millions of years ago" and began to explain that long before any animals or any humans, dinosaurs were around, and that the earth was changing rapidly. I immediately took the tape out of the VCR and hid it on a shelf. I will not have any movies teaching my children about evolution.

I will probably take the movie back tomorrow and demand my money back. I only paid fifty cents for it, but its the principle of the thing!

Weight Loss Update! 5 weeks after I lose 43 pounds, My poor Noah

Sorry for my idleness, this week we all sick,

My poor baby! We are all coughing so bad! We are all staying home. Praying there is nothing wrong with us.

I am treating Noah by mixing a tablespoon of vanilla extract with a tablespoon of honey and making Noah take it. It tastes good to them, and it helps stop the cough! Hopefully, Noah will return to school Monday after treating him with this.

Weight Loss Update! 4 weeks after I lose 36 pounds

Noah take the picture, give Noah some applause ;)
Seems this program works VERY well! I lose 8 pounds, we decide to have a little celebration.
We made stew for dinner. It was so good!



We found a great deal on boneless ribs



Cut the ribs into squares and throw them in the crock pot!



I felt lazy, so I bought organic baby carrots. Usually, we buy regular carrots and cut them ourselves



Then I cut potatoes and threw them in the pot, and added water.



This is our favorite seasoning. It is Adam's Fajita Seasoning. If you are outside Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, or Louisiana, you have to buy it online. Just letting you know. This bottle was about seven dollars, but it will last us at least six months. We use it on everything. Eggs, meat, stew, pizza, whatever we can think of!



We put all the ingredients into the crock pot and let it simmer on low all day. We use a Smart Crock Pot, so I let it cook on low for ten hours, and then it switched to warm. By lunch the next day, everything was so tender and delicious. I would have taken a picture of the finished product, but it was so delicious, we just ate it right up! This usually lasts us about two days.

Sometimes, I add an onion. I don't really like the texture of onions, so I usually add onion powder. However, I wanted to put the Adam's Fajita Seasoning in it, and that covers a great deal of spices. No MSG's or hidden junk.

Try it for yourself! I am sure you will love it!

Weight Loss Update! 3 weeks after I lose 29 pounds, Gift for Noah

I only lose 6 pounds this week. I'm worried, it slow down this week. Well does it work or not 7 days later we'll get the answer.

We wanted to get Noah a larger tablet this year. A brand new 2015 model one. We bought it from the company on this box. We considered buying it from Walmart, when we're in California next week. However since we live in Japan, and if anything happened... we would have a hard time replacing it or whatnot. So we bought it from Expansys. It's a company that sells electronics worldwide. They are a legit company. They sell in America, in Europe, all over. And if we buy from this website, but in Japan, we have a 12 month warranty, that way...we're safer... if anything happens we can send it back. So the 12 month warranty and stuff factor, is what drew us to buying from them. Versus buying at an actual store in California.

The brand new Samsung galaxy Tab S, 8.4 inch screen, so it's huge! Perfect for reading books or playing games. The graphics, we compared to different tablets online on Amazon.com, they have comparisons on there and this rated best. Highest resolution, pixels, processor (speed), just super top of the line. But a perfect gift for our sweetheart cuddle bunny. : )

Noah's old tablet to the left, it was a Nexus 7 (7 inch) it's a good tablet and was a perfect one for him to start off with. It works and stuff and he'll still keep it and stuff. But, this other one, is bigger, and nicer. And newer. It's in a beautiful bronze brown color. The choice was white (no way) or bronze. And he loves it! Noah went goo goo gaga for this, when he saw his present! It's a pretty major big present to receive. He's one lucky kid! : ) He also loves his swimsuit and outfit as well. And he received money from all his grandparents. Branden loves this tablet and so he has already requested to get the same tablet for his birthday in October. Anyway, so that's how we spent Noah's 10th birthday this year! Happy Birthday to the sweetest, kindest kid, I know! We love you Noah! : )

Weight Loss Update! 2 weeks after I lose 23 pounds and Happy Birthday Noah!!!

I've never lose 20+ pounds before, I start to believe this program. Though this program haven't ask me to do any exercise, but it still works! But I break some rules this week because it's Noah's Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Noah!

Ice cream cake from my house, homemade! Choco banana, the top layer is homemade banana and the bottom layer is Italian chocolate which describes it as, having hazel nut flavor and it tastes exactly like Nutella ice cream. This cake is amazing! And the cake at the bottom is yumm too. Totally high quality birthday cake, for sures!

You can see Noboru's elbow on the right of this picture, or shirt. But Bran absolutely adores his little brother. I mean, they're super tight, these two! He's always been sorta like a second papa to Noah... mixed with a best friend. They're close and as an only child myself, I am so glad they have each other! So, Bran said, I'll light Noah's candles. And so he did. And as he did, he told Noah, "now be careful..it's hot okay?" Obviously Noah knows that, he's 10. But...you know hearing how much he worries and cares about Noah and watching B go around this cake and light each candle with care. I don't know...but it made me proud of the both of these two! Good kids. : )

You are so loved! While your brother is strong and opinionated and brave and fearless and extremely competitive! Bran raises his hand in class probably 20 times a day, to answer the questions in class, he likes being top dog. As always and probably always will. He's definitely one of the cool kids, Branden. He's *very* Alpha male, Branden is. And qualities that are super wonderful for a boy to have! You...Noah in personality are quite the opposite.... you have always been very gentle, very agreeable, you are the least competitive person, I know. You are also popular, but you're different, you don't want to be top dog, you're just totally content. It's very interesting to watch, you both..... and I love you both so much. Noah, you naturally, share everything. If you have 5 pieces of gum, and you are with 6 people (including himself) you'll give all your friends a piece of gum and you'll have none for yourself (this worries me, as your mama and we have had talks about this, you and me...the old... "you matter, and you need to care about you a little more"... pep talk). You are nice...*so* nice...sometimes I worry, too nice? Hahaha.  You do have a very kind heart. For real, straight up...he has the kindest heart ever, you guys! This kid has seriously hands down... never been greedy or jealous or unkind to others, like *ever*... a day of his life! He's never went to a store and said..."I want this...I want that." Absolutely never. He's totally Charlie Bucket...not Veruca Salt, if you know what I mean. His heart you guys, he's golden, this Noah-chan! You always think the best of people (even when they don't deserve it). And you always want the best for others and always look at things... as the glass half full. He's so positive and bright and shiny and good. So pure of heart. Which is why... we 3... always protect you (we're like 3 lions guarding you always) and look out for you and watch out for you. And you give the best hugs and cuddles! You *always* say please and thank you.You are very polite (Bran is too though, I was a stickler about manners when they were younger) It's very interesting watching the two of you grow up and see how your personalities differ so much. We love you Noah...exactly as you are!!! Oh and the whole ten-ager thing. Noah being 9, last year, saw Branden become 13. And he idolizes his big brother, we all know that. : )  And he said all last year...wow Branden is so cool, he's a teenager. Branden too says...I'm a teenager. We knew Noah was in awe all last year... because we have heard the word...*teenager* being used all this past year. So, Noboru told me...let's call Noah this year...let's call him a  ten-ager. That way he can sorta- semi join Branden. I said...you know what...that's an excellent idea! So, on his birthday at the restaurant, we called him a ten-ager! And OMG...you guys...he loves it! Noah totally loves it. And now we say...we have 1 teenager and 1 ten-ager! Hahaha. So, a term we coined and we will be using all this year. Sorta cool, yes slightly corny... but who cares...when or if you have kids...you'll more than understand about wanting to make them smile and we personally love the word. Ten-ager! Hahaha. : )

Weight Loss Update! a week after I lose 11 pounds

Well this is not my first time lose 10+ pounds in a week, I've tried 3 others program before, at first all work fine but 3 or 4 weeks later most program STOP. I been fooled several times the other programs I tried the most expansive one is $359, and that helps me lose 15 pounds, just 15 pounds.
After that I start to question every weight loss program, my husband bought this program for me, he tried to convince me this one would work, but I didn't accept. That Night we had a fight!

The reason I start to adopt this program is my sweetheart Noah.
A week before I start this program, Noah's teacher, Eva told me that Noah have emotion control issue, Noah had a fight with the other student. I asked Eva what they fight for, she wouldn't told me.
While Noah home, I asked him why he fight, he said "they called me PIGGY". PIGGY? but Noah isn't fat. At first Noah didn't want to tell me why, after Jack home I told him Noah's situation. Jack continue to ask Noah the reason of fight, Noah said "they say mom looks like pig...".

I WAS SO ANGRY! I call up Eva tried to find out who say that, of cause she wouldn't told me. That night, I had hard time to sleep. My Noah is too sweet, he didn't want me sad. I'm so lucky have such a lovely son and husband. "I have to do something!", I said to myself.

I will success this time, I must success this time, for my Noah.

Gosh! Hope this work!

Today I decide to make some different, I was sick and tired of being fat. I simply possessed a click 1 day, that the sole reason I used to be fats was because I ate an excessive amount of the incorrect foods and didn’t move my own body. I didn’t want my children to increase up and continue the “tradition” to become heavy once you’re hitched. That appeared to eventually everyone in my own family.

I joined a weight loss program, it's not costly. And I'll keep update, Hope this would work!