Welcome Home, Shore!!!

I haven't been able to update a lot recently due to so many things happening. For starters, the first big change in my life is that my daughter was *finally* born on February 7th! (I'll explain why I said "finally" later...) I had an amazing birth experience, which I will also explain later. But, thanks to my fabulous husband, I only had a 5 hour delivery before Shore-chan came into our lives. My husband already had the name Shore picked out a long, long time ago. There's a nice story behind it, but I'll spare you all the boring details. Anyways, we are so excited to have our little Shore with us now and as you can see--we are photo-crazy, snapping pics of her all the time!

Pintrest, the Falcons and Presidential Inauguration

Well I said that "was all", but then I remembered three other topics I wanted to talk about: Pintrest, the Falcons and the Presidential Inauguration! LOL I'm so forgetful lately.

I watched a lot of the inauguration as it happened live on tv, but then I fell asleep. I must say I loved the First Lady's coat--as usual, she has immaculate style! And how her daughters have grown up!!! They are little ladies, indeed. I like the name "Malia" but hubs vetoed it as it would sound odd when Japanese ppl  pronounce it. Overall the performances were good...Beyonce was a bit over the top (but isn't she always??), but Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor were awesome. I totally loved their performances! The whole event was very nice indeed. This election was a bit harder than the first time around, with the American economy being in the stinkhole and all. But I honestly felt like Obama didn't have enough time to complete everything he set out to--I mean four years went by fast! So I'm glad he has a second term and hopefully things will get better. If they don't, then hey everyone can say "I told you so" but I still think he deserves a bit more time to at least try.

Well the Falcons lost to the San Francisco 49ers 28-24. It was soooo close! I, along with tons of other Atlantans, were disappointed. Oh well. They had a good season, with a few ups and downs--and this game was soooo darn close! Matt Ryan is amazing and I do think the team worked hard...so here's to the next season! The Ravens and 49ers will go to the Superbowl in New Orleans in Feb. I'm not big on either team, but I do plan to watch simply for the half-time show lol.

And Pintrest...I have been addicted to this site! If you don't know what it is, you need to check it out! It's like a photo blog of all these various topics and ideas with links to their blogs. You can make lists of things you like, kinda like bookmarks and then go back and view them later. The recipes and craft ideas are amazing! Here are some links to my fav recipes thus far...check them out!

How to make the delish Costco muffins:
http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/23362491787576786_9n6ygjzh.jpg

Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops:
http://www.livinglaughingandloving.com/2012/01/crockpot-ranch-pork-chops-finger.html

Easy and Yummy Cornbread:
http://www.pincookie.com/the-best-cornbread-ever/  (we are eating this for dinner tonight!)

They have all sorts of stuff on there and I am basically addicted to it lol!

What's been going on...

So once again, it has been quite a while since I posted anything. And this time, there is no particular reason why. I haven't been overly lazy or tired--just nothing truly interesting to post about. I have a few mini updates but nothing super exciting...so here goes.

I'm about 3 days from my "official" delivery date. Although, hubs doubts the baby will come on that day. He was born about 4 days late, and my mom thinks I was also later--so we are expecting a late baby. But the good news is, we are all prepared! We bought an awesome crib, car seat, and even a video camera to prepare. We are so lucky to have received tons of clothing, bibs, toys, and even a bouncer and playmat from friends and family. Lucky indeed.

Being pregnant is hard...at least for me, it has been. I've been sick even up til yesterday sometimes puking up dinner and etc. Plus I have cases of symphsis pubic dysfunction (SPD), an extreme pelvic area pain that feels like your bones are splitting. It has gotten a bit better lately, but I still get pain when I wake up in the morning or sit too long. And then there's my clinic. My doctor is good, but I really don't like his asst. doctor. Hubs got so mad at how she handled some blood tests that he told the staff he didn't want me to see her anymore. I find it's hard to be completely comfortable in a clinic where English isn't the first language and because they know I speak some Japanese, they sometimes don't take the time out to fully explain things to me. But I'm trying to stay positive. Like I said, my doctor is great...so that's the baby news.

I keep thinking "wow a baby will be joining us soon"...and people all over say it changes your relationship. I know it does and I'm excited about it but also scared. Cause I will be fully responsible for another person's life. Like just not a 9-5...all the time! Hubs says he is soooo ready...I hope we can handle it!

(they had some amazing Xmas trees there!)

I was invited by the lovely Caroline and Tsukasa out to the Yokohama Sheraton for Xmas Eve dinner, which was just fab! The food was yummy and gorgeous all at the same time. I overindulged (but didn't get sick) on roast beef, foie gras, duck, tempura, lots of pasta dishes, salad bar and desserts. And it was all in the company of wonderful friends and their amazing daughter, Chloe.

(a beautiful Japanese Xmas tree made from origami cranes!)

In other news, hubs and I celebrated our Xmas with a small dinner at home--the next day we went on a roadtrip to an onsen, which was lovely! My new car does great on gas mileage when on cruise control and we even saw some snow in the mountains of Gunma. I didn't take many photos...but here's one of me in the ryokan room. We had a private onsen for pregnant women, which was nice. It had a good view of the river nearby with the moon shining down and snow falling--a nice last trip before the baby!

(me at the ryokan)

New Years was also very chill but we did something both of us had never done before--we went to Kamakura's Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine for our New Years' blessing at midnight.Hubs is an expert on all things Kamakura, since he went to high school and spent his teen years near there--but he said it was the first time he ever went there on New Years. We didn't stay long cause it was freezing cold--but I prayed to avoid a c-section and keep my family and friends healthy this year, and he prayed for me not to "kill him during childbirth and not to get homesick" lol.

(no cafe au lait for me, just milk..still yummy)

We didn't do any osechi this year, but MIL made some small dishes which we ate when we went to her house a few weeks back. I made beingets for breakfast with cafe au lait. My brother sent me the mix from Cafe du Monde in New Orleans and it was hubs first time to eat the powdered donuts--he loved them!

Recently, it snowed here! The snow lasted like 2 days before turning into ice. I didn't go out in it, but hubs car got stuck when he tried to park after coming home lol. Some kids made this adorable snowman! I also included this photo of these yummy strawberries! Every night, after work hubs asks me if I "need something" and usually I say no, but I asked for fruit one night and he brought home these. OMG are they sweet and juicy!!!! Literally, Japan has the best strawberries in the world! That's about all....anything else?

I have been addicted to my appletv lately, just cruising through shows. I started watching "Scandal" cause so many ppl on facebook say it's good. Honestly, I don't see the hype. I like the ex-CIA hitman character, Huck and also Cyrus, the gay Chief of Staff. But the rest of the story falls flat for me. I watched an episode of the "Braxtons", which wasn't exciting at all. And now I'm starting "Breaking Bad" cause my brother says it is sooo addictive. We watched "Ted" on appletv and it was hilarious. The idea of a teddy bear coming to life is too cute! I have "Flight", "Django Unchained", "Lincoln" and "Argo" all ready in queue for my hospital stay. (In Japan, you have to stay 5 days or more in the hospital after giving birth!) I hate hospitals and clinics and am just dreading the time there...so hopefully those movies and some baby books I have will help time pass. Other than that...nothing new...hoping for a healthy baby and a c-section-less birth (no surgery please!! I'm terrified of surgery!!!) I will keep everyone updated~~Take care!

Random Update: Pregnancy, presents, and other tidbits

It has been a while since I last posted anything! I still get online and read blogs I love, but I have had less and less energy to write on my own.

Anyways the countdown begins~~~not that much longer til my little one arrives! I'm scared, excited, and worried all in one. I still have "anytime-of-the-day" sickness which sux. Apparently my little one doesn't like tomato based foods, burgers, sweets, or anything eaten fast. But carrot sticks, egg sandwiches, and dry cereal all seem to be favorites. And water. I drink even more water now than I did before. I miss spicy food (heartburn), cheesy foods (heartburn) and well, mixed drinks (a no-no) but I'm taking vitamins, walking a lot, and hoping that everything turns out for the best.

I have yet to buy anything on my own for this kiddie. I got four huge boxes from my parents with tons of baby clothes! They are the cutest! Also some of my friends have given me nice gifts as well~ hubby's mom gave us a big lump sum of money and said "buy a car seat"--but the amount was enough to buy 4 or 5 car seats! And the list goes on. I feel very happy and blessed to have such great friends and family in my life!

Tons of clothes from my parents--and many of them were dirt cheap!

I recently tried some new recipes out. Basically stuff I saw online that looked yummy. Hubs has been wanting tamales for the longest and I had been avoiding making them for the longest. But I took time out one day and made some, in the crockpot--which wasn't that hard, just time-consuming. They turned out fab tho! And now there are tons of tamales in the freezer...just take them out, steam and add sauce.

 In the crockpot. 

Then, unwrapped and taste-testing!

I have had the oddest cravings from spicy buffalo chicken to cereal to veggie trays, but I recently went bonkers over some fruit salad. It can be pricey here so I made my own. Melon was super cheap from Costco and some strawberries. I plan to keep making fruit salad, cause I can't seem to get enough.

My huge tupperware with fruit!

My mom also sent this English tea in an adorable package! I love the slogan, "Keep calm..." and well, I did crack it open and enjoy some tea!

That's about it. I will update more in the next couple of weeks since I will be on leave. I'm excited about Xmas Eve dinner with friends and baby stuff shopping with my in-laws! Oh and simply not having to do anything work-related and chilling at home. We also have a trip planned to the onsen, with some yummy Japanese cuisine involved--so that is a trip to look forward to. Overall, I'm happy and healthy and sorry for not have posted more frequently. Take care and Happy Holidays!!!

Pregnancy Blues

Despite the title, I'm actually not really sad. But being pregnant has brought up this super weird side of emotions in my. Like hubby and I were watching this movie about illegal immigrants in America. And I had no idea it was such a big freaking deal...I mean I love being an American, despite all the faults my country has. Wait let me say that again: I LOVE BEING AN AMERICAN. Yes, I am one of those lame-o people who gets worked up over hearing Montgomery Gentry's "Proud to be an American" play on the radio lol. But anyways back to the movie. So we are watching this part and the Korean kid, who is all gangsta and going against his parents is like "I don't even like this place, I hate it here"--but he has no idea how his parents were struggling back in Korea and wanted a better life for him. There were all these other ppl's stories connecting into one big story and watching it made me burst into tears. Literally bawling...I couldn't even explain why...but I'm blaming it on the pregnancy  Then driving to work today, I hear Ray Charles "Georgia on my Mind" play and the water buckets flow again! I know it's a song about a woman, but every time I hear it, it makes me think of home. Anyways, I'm not even depressed...I honestly think it is the pregnancy blues.

In other news, I have been totally craving some Popeyes chicken lol. That and Ben n'Jerry's Chocolate Cookie Dough ice cream, buffalo wings, and Mexican chili ..Like a crazy woman lol. I really wanted to eat at Red Lobster too, especially since they have the famous cheese biscuits now. So hubs and I headed out there for dinner one night, only to be disappointed with flat cheese-garlic bread type thingys. The crab and shrimp I had was amazing, but nothing beats the Red Lobster from back home.

Oh and Sunday I got up super early to volunteer at my church's annual Bazaar. It was so much fun, like I really can't explain how one can have fun serving hamburgers and hot dogs--but I did. The people I worked with were super friendly, all excited to hear about my pregnancy--lol---and well it felt really got to give back some time to my church. You know time is money, but if you can't afford to donate cash; give your time instead. I have to say that was the best Sunday I had in a while. No pics, but I did get this amazing handcrafted rosary.

Are y'all watching the Walking Dead Season 3? It is soooooo scary. Geez, I mean I kinda know a bit of what will happen from the graphic novel spoilers, but the people in the jail...crazy! I knew Herschel was going to get bit by that walker in the jail--I was screaming "kill him, he's not dead!" but he got bit anyways. I hope he lives cause his character is really peaceful, which is nice. On the other hand, I'd like Lori to die. She's a crappy mom to Carl, she cheated on her husband and is preggo maybe by his best friend--and she's just so annoying. I hope she gets bit next. Darryl and Glenn remain my favs.

I also watched an episode of the American Horror Story Season 2. Not sure how I feel about it, since it seems to be totally different and even more gruesome than before. I am also *shamefully*addicted to Basketball Wives LA and 30 Rock. I never knew why ppl talked about Basketball Wives so much but it is crappy gossipy fun and well, you can never go wrong with 30 Rock. My brother has said Boardwalk Empire is good, but I haven't had time to check it out yet. What are you watching?
Well that's all for now...

Guam, after the fact.

I am so behind on blogging--it's crazy lol! I'm actually behind on everything lol. We went to Guam again at the end of the summer and had a good trip. I was a little iffy on going back there after the last time, but we had some fab advice from Gina and that helped. Our hotel was nice, flight super comfy (we got upgraded to Business Elite for free!) and the best part was we snorkeled/swam almost everyday!
Here are some pics from the trip!

 The beach was simply amazing!

In our hotel lobby

View at Two Lovers Point

Pretty much sums up the feeling after seeing how high we were lol!

Random photo of the Costuless store--exactly the same as a Costco w/o the membership fee. 

I bought a huge thing of Gravy mix here for like $6!

So as you can see, I didn't take a ton of photos. We didn't do a ton of shopping either. Basically chilled out, swam and enjoyed the end of summer. I ate a yummy meal at Denny's ( REAL American breakfast style lol), we ate Taco Bell 3 times! Yes 3 times!! Tomo loves it that much lol. And we did a lot of sightseeing around the island; places we didn't have time to visit before. It was a nice trip, so I'm glad to have ended summer on a fab note.

Recent News...and staying positive all the while.

Pregnant between the palm trees in Guam

My Mother, and also several friends--and even books I've been reading have all stressed the importance of staying positive, happy, and generally healthy during pregnancy because everything you feel--the baby also "feels". So this is basically what I've been working on the past month or so. It's hard because at times I get frustrated  tired, and slightly depressed about what is happening to my body.

Many people saying "pregnancy is this wonderful time", but I'm waiting for that point to happen. I AM truly excited about bringing a little person into this world...don't get me wrong. But the morning sickness (which is really all-day-sickness), the weight gain, boobage gain, back and rib aches, and oh the random barfing after said food doesn't agree with baby---is all a bit much to take.

Plus a lot of the news has been depressing as of late. It seems like every other day a mother or father is found guilty of killing their kid, leaving them in the car at a pachinko parlor, or coin locker. I don't know why, but that type of crime hits me harder than some random gang shooting or terrorism in another country. And the saddest bit is the bullying that is going on in Japanese schools.

Just today, I read that a 13-year old junior high school student committed suicide on the Yamanote line in Tokyo. 13 years old! It just breaks my heart. Was there no one to help her? Listen to her troubles? Assure her life is fast and fleeting and the problems she has today will be dust in the wind tomorrow?

I have no idea, and it may just be my raging hormones now...but I am praying that this reckless murdering of kids and pointless suicide will stop. I don't have a solution for it, but I do know that people need to realize no matter how bad they may think their life is--there is ALWAYS ALWAYS someone worse off. And in the words of one of my favorite women of all times, Scarlett O'Hara: Tomorrow is always another day.