Hey! It' Monday! Meet me....and the others who hang here....

I don't know about you but, I'm going to just ignore the fact that I completely spaced out doing this post last Monday.  Oh, I apologize for the spacing out....you know how things get....how LIFE gets sometimes and things just go by the wayside.

But, I'm back....still a little spacey but, that's pretty much normal anymore.

With that, let's get to it, shall we?

This is Miss Java's (over at NeverGrowingOld) 50th Meet Me on Monday meme....she's on vacation right now, but if you want to get to know some others doing this, go on over and click away.

And as always....what are YOUR answers to the questions?

This is the fun part about memes...finding out about each other.

Questions:

1. What is your favorite food?

There are many foods I love...but if I had to pick just one, it would have to be...

Pizza....proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

2. What color scheme is your bedroom?

The whole idea of "color scheme" doesn't really work with a traditional Japanese room...unless your color scheme is brown (tatami floor), white (paper doors) and green (walls).  We don't even have futon covers as, in the traditional way, futons are put away every morning most mornings.

*and no....this is not my room...mine is much messier!! sorry.

3. Do you carry a donor card?
When I lived in the States, I always carried one.  Here in Japan, the whole idea of donating organs is not one that is easily accepted....it is only in the last couple of years that it has happened...and very rarely, at that.
So, my answer is no.  I do not carry a donor card...but, I wish I could.

4. In your opinion, is the glass half empty or half full?
It all depends on what is in the glass....and how late in the day/evening it is when you ask.

5. Vanilla or Chocolate?

Oh, please.....

'Nuf said.

(^-^)

Ya'll have a good week. 

weekend reads

The joy of reading outside.

Summer has officially begun and with it, summer reading can begin in earnest. Do you read different types of books when the days are longer and warmer? I think I read more fiction during the summer.

I'm currently trying to finish a big ol' book I have little interest in: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. It's the last (thank goodness) in the Larrson trilogy. Reading it for book club although that book club meeting has come and gone. I just feel obligated to finish.

What I have coming up to read that I'm jazzed about are these books:

• Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls (author of The Glass Castle)
• Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
• State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

What are you reading this weekend? Will you be reading outside?

Saturday Snapshot - Childhood

Weekend Review

I love the X-Men movies. I thought it was because I am madly in love with Patrick Stewart. But after watching the new "X-Men: First Class" movie, I think it is just that I am in love with the character of Charles Xavier. (I am now seriously considering naming my son Charles Xavier!)

Even if you haven't watched the other X-Men movies or know anything about the comics, I still recommend this film. It is a prequel and while it's helpful to know the ultimate destiny of some of the main characters, it certainly isn't required. This movie has an amazing cast, including the lovely January Jones. At first I was shocked to see Kevin Bacon cast as the villian, but he actually did a great job. This film was directed by Matthew Vaughn (director of "Kick-Ass") and I think it was actually better than the previous X-Men films. I read a few reviews where people didn't believe the friendship chemistry between Charles and Erik (later known as Professor X and Magneto) but I thought it was believable and well acted.

I think the reason I love the X-Men movies is because they are action packed (which my husband likes) but the plot lines are intriguing and captivating and the dialogue isn't cheesy (which I like.) So even if you choose to stay away from the typical comic book flick, you might actually enjoy this one.

beautiful banana baby bean

One of my previous students from the high school (now married and living in the States) sent this to me of her newborn son.

"Sure, I look like a banana.....who cares? 

It's comfy and I sleep like a...well...like a baby."

Wordless Wednesday - Before & After

Visit more Wordlessness if you feel so inclined

it's monday so....meet me

I hope this finds you all doing well. The Meet Me On Monday meme that is sponsored by Java is up and since I'm home for a little bit this morning, I'll get it done and posted and not have to worry about rushing through it tonight!

Remember....it's fun to do the meme, but, it's even more fun when you tell us your answers...it gives us a chance to get to know each other.

Here are the questions for this week:

Questions:

1. What is your favorite yogurt flavor?

Very berry, baby...the more berries, the better.

2. Ankle or knee socks? and on the same theme, white socks or coloured??

Actually......I am neither.

I am more of a slouch socks kind of girl.
White, please.

and no, sadly, those are not my legs.

dammit.

3. How is the weather right now?

After almost 4 straight days of heavy, torrential rain, we have cool, slightly humid cloudy skies.

We are in the 'rainy season' here in Nagasaki (which will last until the first of July, or so) so this..along with the heavy rains, will be the standard for a couple more weeks.

4. Are you a fast typer?
I didn't really know anymore, so....I took a test.
72 words


5. Red or White Wine?
I have had some bad experiences with red so I prefer a white.
And if I could, I would drink this white wine every chance I get.

The Cocetti family are close personal friends of mine in Denver, Colorado.  Their daughter is my 'soul sistah' and I have drank many a bottle glass at their house.
If you go to their site, tell them Debbie sent you. (^-^)
I can pretty much guarantee that all their wines are wonderful....even the reds.
Have a great week. 
I hope where you are the skies are sunny and the breezes are cool.

Weekend Review

I bet you're thinking, "Really? She's gonna recommend this?!" I know, I am surprised as well. I usually stick with 19th century romances, light-hearted comedies, dramas, and the occasional sci-fi. "Game of Thrones" is bloody, disturbing, overly sexual (like all the HBO shows!), slow paced at times, and gory. But it's GOOD. And addictive. There are ten episodes to Season 1, with the finale airing in a week. That gives you all one week to catch up on the first nine episodes!

Quick plot overview: This series is based on a series of fantasy novels written by George R. R. Martin. I am tempted to read these books now. There are three main storylines that are slowly merging together and I am excited to see if the finale unites them even more. The main story is of Lord Stark, the Hand of the King, and his family and their strained relationship with the King and his family, the Lannisters. You will come to despise the Lannisters with the exception of Tyrion, the dwarf or imp as they call him, who is clever and witty and one of the best characters and actors on the show. The second storyline is at "the Wall", which is literally a huge wall that serves as a border and is guarded 24 hours a day to protect it from "creatures" that I can only assume to be some sort of zombies. The last storyline is the one I am fascinated with and that is the tribe of Dothraki warriors, led by Drogo and his new young wife Daenerys. I can't give away much about her except that her storyline involves dragons and she is simply awesome.

Okay, so I just went back and read this and I am not sure anyone will buy into this show as it does sound totally strange, but hang in there for at least a few episodes and I am sure you will be hooked. However, beware that it is pretty graphic at times and on more than one occasion I have had to cover my eyes or hide in my husband's shoulder! Happy watching!

Wordless Wednesday - Good Eggs

I took the photos early this morning while on a walk. Time was about 7:30am.

I think they are egg casings. They aren't banana slug eggs. I understand their eggs are clear.

If you have tons of extra time, visit wordless Wednesday.

Have you ever had one of those days when it doesn't matter how hard you try or how much you want it,

you just can't get caught up??

Yesterday was one of those days for me.

So...I missed the weekly meme over at Java's

(you can go and check out other answers, you know, if you want).

It was about midnight:45  last night  (after sewing on snaps for my oldest son's uniform name tag on both his summer shirts) when I realized I hadn't done it and I chose to just turn off the computer and go to bed.

So, today...I will give  you a video that the boys and I think is just too funny and silly almost for words.

Dole Banana has made some of the weirdest funniest commercials....not sure why, but there has been a huge push here to buy...bUY...BUY BANANAS!!!

The boys found this one that had been subtitled.

Banana Man.....

see if you can watch this without smiling.

  

Have a great week, everyone!!!

(^-^)

Saturday Snapshot - Good Egg

Found this partial bird egg on the ground, walked the egg over to the convertible top of my VW and snapped this photo.

Weekend Reading

I used to be a teacher, worked with kids for years, and was an editor for an educational publishing company, so "young adult" fiction appeals to me somewhat. I like to read what is the hottest topic amongst the teens. I wasn't obsessed with Twilight or Harry Potter, but I do think those authors did a great job with uncovering a niche that kids are fascinated with. So when I heard about the Hunger Games, I was intrigued because many schools are promoting these books because they contain elements of history, politics, and social issues (not romance, sorcery, and vampires!) I read all three in a week--they are super fast reads and actually pretty addicting. I thought the first book "Hunger Games" was fabulous and was disappointed by the other two. That said, I recommend this series to anyone, especially if you have teenage kids. It might be fun to have a book club with your kids and discuss how they feel about the issues in these books and what freedom means to them.

Quick plot summary: The main character is 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen (love the name!) who lives in the country of Panem, which once was North America. We don't learn much about what happened to the world in which we live in today, except that it was completely destroyed and the remaining country of Panem is divided into Districts that are ruled by the Capitol, which is run as a dictatorship, where the people have no freedom at all. Every year the Capitol hosts the Hunger Games, where children's names are drawn from a lottery and they compete to the death in an arena. It serves as a reminder to the Districts that the Capitol is in complete control. Katniss's father is dead, leaving her to take care of her mother and younger sister by hunting in the forbidden woods and trying to trade enough to keep her family fed. When her little sister's name gets drawn for the Hunger Games, she immediately takes her place instead. She is paired with Peeta, a boy from her District and off they go to prepare for the games. The rest of the series is Katniss and Peeta's struggle to stay alive and eventually to overthrow the Capitol. This book reads very much like a "1984" book for young adults.

My personal take on it: I don't think Suzanne Collins should win any awards for being a great author as the writing is subpar and at times frustratingly bare. However, she is obviously a masterful storyteller and extremely clever to create this believable science fiction world. Give it a chance, at least by reading the first book, to see what you think.

sassy tat2

Wordless Wednesday - Lace

For less/more words visit wordless wednesday.