Potatoes

My MIL came yesterday with a massive bag of potatoes.
I like potatoes, more than rice.   But this to many potatoes, what to do with them!
Today I'll make potatoe salad, tomorrow niku jaga, Japanese stew!  After that I have no idea what to do.  They aren't the kind that bake up nicely!  Plus it's hot so frying is going to be hard!  What to do?
MIL does this every few weeks, she stops by with some vegetables that she has been growing.  It helps because vegetables are getting expensive but she over does it.  I give away as many as possible but I still end up throwing out loads!

Christopher is struggling with music at school.  He had to take an art elective so he chose music.  He didn't like any of the choices but music seemed the easiest.  For his end of term test he has to play "Silent Night" on the piano, he has never had piano lessons so it is kind of hard!  Mikey has been helping him out. It's so nice to see them play together, Mikey is a very natural teacher!

Mikey and Christopher playing Silent Night
 

But Silent Night in June, just doesn't sound right!

What a Weekend

Growing up weekends were always a chance to relax and recharge. School and work were Monday to Friday.  Saturday and Sunday were free!  Of course Saturday morning we had chores (at least I did, i don't remember my brothers doing anything, selective memory?), but after that I was free.  One clear memory I do have is rushing to do homework Sunday evening, I put it off until the last moment!
In Japan it seems that everyday is a work day.  Saturday is busy teaching but I try to keep Sunday free!
But this past weekend was just non stop busy!
Saturday morning I was out in the garden before 8am, pulling weeds and trying to tidy round.  I asked the kids to help out but they were more interested in sitting on the sofa watching daft TV, soon put a stop to that.  Saturday I had a few extra lessons to help for the Eiken test the next day.  I taught, shopped, cleaned out a draw in the kitchen, folded laundry, cleaned the teaching room and of course cooked.  Sunday was the Eiken test, shopping, more gardening, cleaned the kitchen floor and the bathroom, made a big dinner.  Now I am exhausted and the week is just begining! HELP!

Happy Birthday Hisao

Today would of been Hsiao's 53rd birthday.  I still can't believe he died so young, I am the age he was when he died!  Far too young!
I miss him everyday, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't want to go and have a chat, ask him a question or just go get a hug from him.  I make my days busy otherwise I would go crazy just wanting to be with him!

This photo is from 10 years ago!
When I look at that photo I remember how hard things were for me, kids were having an awful time in school, bullying was non stop!  It was a year since my Mom died, I was so stressed about our financial situation.  But Hisao help me hold things together.  On the days that I felt I couldn't go on he would be there so I could cry on his shoulder, he wouldn't say anything but his strength and determination gave me strength and determination!

Today is going to be busy.  have to get in the garden.  It's a disaster.  Soon the rainy season will start then it will be too hot to do anything out there!
Plus the dog has to go to the vets!
Plus extra classes for people taking the Eiken test tomorrow.
Better get started!

Hot Days and Rainy Days

I can't believe the weather we have been having here the past few days!
Saturday and Sunday were hot.  Up to 34C near here.  That is unheard of for this time of year.  From Saturday afternoon I started to feel awful, sick, dizzy and throbbing headache!  When I checked my temperature it was 37.5C, heat stroke!!  Every year this happens, first hot day I get sick.  My body really doesn't cope with the heat!
Yesterday the temperature dropped and the rain started.  Rain is good, cooler temperatures are really good.  I felt so much better yesterday!!
On Saturday Mikey had his first magic show.  He said that it went well, he didn't get any photos.  I'm glad that it went well and that he managed okay.  The audience was elementary school kids, not the easiest to impress! Plus he got paid, $100.  For half an hour, now that is what I call work!
Good news on the weight front, half kilo down!  Good start but my eating has been all over the place!  Some days good, some days so so and some days awful!  But it's a start!  On July 28th Mikey and I are working with another English teacher to put together a one day summer program for kids in this area.  So I need to loose some by then otherwise it is going to be hell for me!!  So now I have a date to shoot for!!   Wish me luck!

Angry

Christopher has very mild asperger's syndrome.  Once he figures out the social cues needed in a situation he is okay.  He is good at school because he knows how to react, he has learnt what is appropriate and what is not. He still misses somethings, doesn't understand the difference between teasing and bullying, sulks a lot.  But part of that is being 16, not having his Dad around and being stressed by tests.  Also there is very little help here, I would love for somebody to sit with him and explain all the silly things that make up Japanese society and manners that are needed to get through each day!  But he is a sweet boy who needs a lot of love and encouragement!
This morning I was asking who was taking Hannah to her piano teacher's house.  I suggested Christopher.   David said no because the piano teacher thinks that Christopher is rude!  I am so angry at her judgement. She has met him twice maybe!  She hasn't asked why he behaved the way he did, I think he didn't say hello when he went in.  Some of the kids who come here are rude, really rude, wandering around the house, opening closets, saying things to me  which really rude for example asking why I have a fat arse!  Even though I get really mad at them I try to hold off on any judgement, my internal dialogue is not good but to the kids I explain in a firm voice that what they are doing is not right,  I also ask the parents if the kids have some problem, if they do (and a lot do) I adjust my expectations of the kids and try to help to develop the manners they need to live in this society.  I would never say to their family you are rude.
So I am angry, I am paying this woman to teach piano not judge my kids for something that they can't help!

More Moaning

So I did okay for a couple of days.  Eating was good, even did a bit of exercise.  Then Wednesday night I was looking at old photos, even 20kilos less than I am now I looked awful.  So I let myself sink into the stinking thinking mode.  What's the point, even if I loose some I won't look any different, might as well enjoy my food now, that kind of thinking.  So Thursday started out bad and went down hill from there, cakes and ice cream!!  Today has been okay, I have dinner planned, which always helps!
Another moan is that it is hot.  And I think I put the fans at MIL's house and won't get chance to go there until next week. I hate hot weather!
Hannah just came back with her knee banged up.  She fell down on the way to school!  
Plus David had to go to the dentist this morning, he had tooth ache last night.  Seems okay now, says he doesn't have to go back!

Having a Moan

I know I have to do something about my weight!
I think about it all the time, every morning I think "Today I will eat right, I will exercise" but it never gets past that!
My health is actually pretty good for an obese woman, no cholesterol, no fat in my liver, normal blood pressure and no sign of diabetes.  But the extra weight I am carrying makes me so tired, my feet hurt and my back screams if I stand for more than half an hour.
Yesterday I went shopping with Hannah.  The shop we went to had lovely cheap T shirts.  I need load of T shirts in the summer, it gets so hot here.  But for my size I am limited in choice and everything is so expensive. 
Also I want to travel, I want to enjoy summer, go to the pool or beach but just the thought of summer makes me uncomfortable.  The past week it has started to get warm, upper 20C's, not as hot as it gets.  But I am already uncomfortable.
So I have to do something!  But if I am honest I don't want to.  I don't want to not eat the foods I enjoy, I don't want to watch my kids enjoy ice cream while I sit there watching them and I really don't want to exercise.  But what choice do I have?  None really!
So I am going to use this blog to moan about how unfair it is!  How I see other people stuffing themselves and not get fat! 
So my goal is to loose 5kgs in 6 weeks.  I can do that!  I have to do that!
From tomorrow I will stop eating at night, no munchies after work. 
I will make my dinner light and try to eat more in the mornings.  I will add some exercise as well but not sure what at the moment.
I will try to up date.