1 . Make a baby album for K for the first 2 years of her life.
2 . Make a baby album for L for the first 2 years of their life.
3 . Update facebook photos of K once a month. (0/33)
4 . Take the k to the park at least once a week for 50 weeks (this is for her playtime, separate to just walking R) (0/50)
5 . Update facebook photos of L once a month.
6 . Take K out on a special date (one-on-one time) once a month after L born
7 . Go to an Aquarium
8 . Go to the zoo near playgroup
9 . Go to Zoorasia again
10 . Take K to a "carnival" (Dora the explorer reference there) or circus
11 . Ride on a ferris wheel with K
PROGRESS REPORTS
18/5/2010 Went to Zoorasia with Nanna and Pop - another great day had!!
Aug 2010: During obon week, we headed into Yokohama one day to ride the big ferris wheel, and K even got to go on the merry-go-round at the kids amusement park. But MAN it was hot!!
Sept 2010: Went to Lennons Bros circus while back in Bris. It was a great day out, and even K's older cousins enjoyed it!!
Feb 12, 2010 Went to Shimoda Aquarium. It was included in our hotel package at Shimoda Prince. We had gone down there with the purpose of seeing the Kawazu Sakura, but it rained and SNOWED and the blossoms were only 一分咲き so it was good that we had the aquarium tickets. like the toilet paper at the aquarium, it had pictures of sea animals on it (she liked it so much she brought half a roll of tp home with her lol!!)
EXTRAVAGANCE
12 . Drink the bottle of French Champagne J brought back from France (perhaps to celebrate 5th marriage anniversary?)
13 . Drink the wine (Tempranillo) we brought back from Argentina
14 . Eat Peking duck at "8"
15 . Eat out at Bistro du Moulin, @ Kichijoji without the kid(s)
16 . Eat 焼肉 at "北京" again
17 . Get J to take me to 焼き鳥
PROGRESS REPORTS
1/11/2010
harder than it looks to be extravangant, perhaps....
14. PEKING DUCK at "8" rocks!!! Thanks to K for coming back to visit, we ended up there Dec 29th. It was all I remembered, and more. Even lighted a fire under J's butt and he wants to go again, soon ;)
30/1/2011
17. DONE!!!
13 . Drink the wine (Tempranillo) we brought back from Argentina
14 . Eat Peking duck at "8"
15 . Eat out at Bistro du Moulin, @ Kichijoji without the kid(s)
16 . Eat 焼肉 at "北京" again
17 . Get J to take me to 焼き鳥
PROGRESS REPORTS
1/11/2010
harder than it looks to be extravangant, perhaps....
14. PEKING DUCK at "8" rocks!!! Thanks to K for coming back to visit, we ended up there Dec 29th. It was all I remembered, and more. Even lighted a fire under J's butt and he wants to go again, soon ;)
30/1/2011
17. DONE!!!
JAPAN, TRAVEL
18 . Visit friends in Oita
19 . Visit 2 prefectures I haven't been to before. (0/2) (Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Toyama, Fukui, Mie, Shiga, Wakayama, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa or Ehime)
20 . Visit 5 shrines or temples I haven't been to before (esp in Kamakura). (0/5)
21 . Go ski/snowboarding at least once (assuming not pregnant during ski season)
22 . Travel to an overseas country (other than Australia) at least once (would love to go to Taiwan, or perhaps to California and tour the wineries (this is real a dream item! I know that chances are it won't come true, but I can always hope…) )
PROGRESS REPORTS
Aug 2010: Trip to Bali, Indonesia! But I would like to think we can do better than that, so am gonna leave this item as "in progress" too ;)
19 . Visit 2 prefectures I haven't been to before. (0/2) (Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Toyama, Fukui, Mie, Shiga, Wakayama, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa or Ehime)
20 . Visit 5 shrines or temples I haven't been to before (esp in Kamakura). (0/5)
21 . Go ski/snowboarding at least once (assuming not pregnant during ski season)
22 . Travel to an overseas country (other than Australia) at least once (would love to go to Taiwan, or perhaps to California and tour the wineries (this is real a dream item! I know that chances are it won't come true, but I can always hope…) )
PROGRESS REPORTS
Aug 2010: Trip to Bali, Indonesia! But I would like to think we can do better than that, so am gonna leave this item as "in progress" too ;)
SOCIAL
23 . Host playdate/morning tea at home at least 12 times (3/12)
24 . Have J's 幼馴染 over at least once a year (0/3)
25 . Have J's friends(manatee) over at least once a year (0/3)
26 . Have J's parents over at least once every 4 months (0/8)
PROGRESS REPORTS
23. (1/12)
13/7/2010 Had E and E over. Wanted to make it a proper lunch, but ended up with just bread, salad and oven-roasted chicken to myo s/w. Jelly for dessert.
6/1/2011 Had The European Stylist over to visit in the morning (thanks so much for coming all the way out to see us!!) and then old friends from Tokyo, M, H and T over in the afternoon. With L having just cut his first tooth, after a seriously sleepless night, I can't say that it was how I would ideally host, but it was great to have people over after a string of cancelled luncheons in Nov/Dec due to illness.
Lunch was lasagna with spinach and carrot and a bit of sweet potato hidden in there and tasted ok despite my pasta sheet layering mishap (don't know *what* I was thinking when I put a layer of pasta sheets on the bottom of the dish -- burnt to smithereens, lol). No home made goodies from me, although M did bring some homemade cookies which were delish!!
Feb 7th
Had kinda valentine party for K's friends from playgroup. Y, E and older bro H, and M and A came along.Made lasagna in the end made properly this time. I had wanted to be more adventurous, but in the end L was clingy and that was about the best I could do. We DID make almond cookies, in the shape of hears for V Day tho!
26. This is working out easy too -- just in the last quater, they stayed over for my birthday weekend, and Christmas day celebrations (on the 23rd), also had them over early in Oct when going out to get pre-school applications. I am glad I included this item though, as it does make me think about having them over to stay several times a year, as opposed to us just visiting them. Not sure if they like it that way or not though.....day before Xmas they said they would come after dinner, but arrived at 5pm -- they said they already had dinner!!! I was insulted that they would eat dinner then arrive at OUR dinner time....I know that MIL thinks I don't do ANYTHING around the house (bcoz J usually "cooks" for them when they are here, ony bcoz we do Japanese food for them like sushi or whathaveyou) but I was quite put out that they would go to the effort of saying they would eat first, only to arrive right on dinner time.... oh well.
24 . Have J's 幼馴染 over at least once a year (0/3)
25 . Have J's friends(manatee) over at least once a year (0/3)
26 . Have J's parents over at least once every 4 months (0/8)
PROGRESS REPORTS
23. (1/12)
13/7/2010 Had E and E over. Wanted to make it a proper lunch, but ended up with just bread, salad and oven-roasted chicken to myo s/w. Jelly for dessert.
6/1/2011 Had The European Stylist over to visit in the morning (thanks so much for coming all the way out to see us!!) and then old friends from Tokyo, M, H and T over in the afternoon. With L having just cut his first tooth, after a seriously sleepless night, I can't say that it was how I would ideally host, but it was great to have people over after a string of cancelled luncheons in Nov/Dec due to illness.
Lunch was lasagna with spinach and carrot and a bit of sweet potato hidden in there and tasted ok despite my pasta sheet layering mishap (don't know *what* I was thinking when I put a layer of pasta sheets on the bottom of the dish -- burnt to smithereens, lol). No home made goodies from me, although M did bring some homemade cookies which were delish!!
Feb 7th
Had kinda valentine party for K's friends from playgroup. Y, E and older bro H, and M and A came along.Made lasagna in the end made properly this time. I had wanted to be more adventurous, but in the end L was clingy and that was about the best I could do. We DID make almond cookies, in the shape of hears for V Day tho!
26. This is working out easy too -- just in the last quater, they stayed over for my birthday weekend, and Christmas day celebrations (on the 23rd), also had them over early in Oct when going out to get pre-school applications. I am glad I included this item though, as it does make me think about having them over to stay several times a year, as opposed to us just visiting them. Not sure if they like it that way or not though.....day before Xmas they said they would come after dinner, but arrived at 5pm -- they said they already had dinner!!! I was insulted that they would eat dinner then arrive at OUR dinner time....I know that MIL thinks I don't do ANYTHING around the house (bcoz J usually "cooks" for them when they are here, ony bcoz we do Japanese food for them like sushi or whathaveyou) but I was quite put out that they would go to the effort of saying they would eat first, only to arrive right on dinner time.... oh well.
HEALTH, FITNESS, HOBBIES
27 . Get back to pre-pregnancy weight
28 . Be able to fit into my Helly Hansen bamboo pants again
29 . Follow a daily face firming ritual every day for 2 months in succession (0/2)
30 . Get a professional massage at least once.
31 . Get a professional pedicure at least once.
32 . Drink at least 1L of water every day for a month
33 . Drink at least 1.5L of water every day for a month
34 . Drink 2L of water every day for a month
35 . Swim once a week for 12weeks (1/12)
36 . Swim 1.5km in 30mins
37 . Run twice a week, for 12weeks (0/12)
38 . Run 3km ten times (0/10)
39 . Run 5km 5 times (0/5)
40 . Run 10km 2 times (0/2)
41 . Go cycling with J and kids (in bike seats)
42 . Go hiking (maybe Takao-san or around Kamakura) with kids
43 . Go to a tea ceremony (e.g. at a 祭り) 13/2/2010 at 地区センター
44 . Get regular dental checks, at least once a year (0/3)
PROGRESS REPORTS
2/2/2010 Started 1L of water a day, found it easy to do by using a glass, and having one or 2 glasses in the morning, when first wake up, a couple before bed, and then a couple during the day when I remember.
10/2/2010 Realised that with all my water drinking, I had neglected the juice that we buy, and it was coming close to its expiry date, so started to try drinking juice up, and fell off the water bandwagon.
14/2/2010 Start 1L challenge again!
3/2/2010 I found in the local newspaper that they were having an お茶会 at the 地区センター, so I braved the cold and sleet to join in. I was expecting it just to be one of those ones where they make up the tea in a back room, and carry it out to you, over in 5mins, BUT it was an actual お茶席, having to enter the room, view the 掛け軸,
sit through the whole お点前 ceremony....I was happily surprised (all for 300yen!) but also slightly embarrased because I was wearing jeans (the biggest no-no in ocha, and probably other Japanese traditional cultural activities, as it is without a doubt the worst piece of clothing to wear while sitting 正座 as they are too tight and make your legs go to sleep with 150% certainty!!) AND I turned up to the お茶会 手ぶら！ I didn't have my little fan, or my お懐紙 (paper to put the sweets on)...and add to that the fact that I haven't been to a real tea ceremony for AGES, like, 3 years plus, as I quit お稽古 while pregnant with K...so I had forgotten ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, and made quite a few faff-ups, and of course lost all feeling in my legs before the 道具拝見 part, but I did enjoy it!
And it made me want to get back into it and re-learn! I was hoping to be able to have a chat with the tea ceremony teacher and perhaps consider starting up lessons again (obviously once TJ-baby is big enough) but I didnt get that much chance, as was too busy trying to keep my legs from falling off, and watching everyone else to try to copy them. I am sure they will have it again, so I am gonna keep an eye out and hope to go along again some time, more prepared next time, tho!
35. (1/12)
21/7/2010 Joined up for summer swimming at the "y". Day 1: 20laps breastroke, 20laps freestyle.
#30. and #31.
Got both massage and pedi while in Bali. Actually, two massages, one at the hotel, in a "day spa" and the other at the airport while waiting for our plane home, lol.
Also got a two pedis, as H and I have a ritual of going to get our feet done when we meet up when I am home, so we did it again this time in Oct.
9/1/2011
#27. I think I am getting close, finally! After 7 months, the weight finally started to come off, and I am back into regular clothes. Still feel like I have 1-2kgs to lose (haven't been on the scales for a bit, but last time weighed in at around *5.4kg, so is good!!)
Unfortunately after summer, my excercise efforts have gone out the window. SIgh. Maybe when L gets a bit bigger and is not teething/clingy/attached at the hip etc etc ;)
May 15 2011
27. Done! Currently floating around the *2kg mark, which is 1kg UNDER my pre-preg weight
28. DONE! How happy am i ;)
29. Been trying to do this since in aus, but still have some days where I forget ;(
31. And two pedis while back in Aus Apri-May 2011!! Bright red nail polish each time. Man, there is nothing better!! Gonna try to find a place around here that does spa pedis and keep this up over the summer at least.
28 . Be able to fit into my Helly Hansen bamboo pants again
29 . Follow a daily face firming ritual every day for 2 months in succession (0/2)
30 . Get a professional massage at least once.
31 . Get a professional pedicure at least once.
32 . Drink at least 1L of water every day for a month
33 . Drink at least 1.5L of water every day for a month
34 . Drink 2L of water every day for a month
35 . Swim once a week for 12weeks (1/12)
36 . Swim 1.5km in 30mins
37 . Run twice a week, for 12weeks (0/12)
38 . Run 3km ten times (0/10)
39 . Run 5km 5 times (0/5)
40 . Run 10km 2 times (0/2)
41 . Go cycling with J and kids (in bike seats)
42 . Go hiking (maybe Takao-san or around Kamakura) with kids
43 . Go to a tea ceremony (e.g. at a 祭り) 13/2/2010 at 地区センター
44 . Get regular dental checks, at least once a year (0/3)
PROGRESS REPORTS
2/2/2010 Started 1L of water a day, found it easy to do by using a glass, and having one or 2 glasses in the morning, when first wake up, a couple before bed, and then a couple during the day when I remember.
10/2/2010 Realised that with all my water drinking, I had neglected the juice that we buy, and it was coming close to its expiry date, so started to try drinking juice up, and fell off the water bandwagon.
14/2/2010 Start 1L challenge again!
3/2/2010 I found in the local newspaper that they were having an お茶会 at the 地区センター, so I braved the cold and sleet to join in. I was expecting it just to be one of those ones where they make up the tea in a back room, and carry it out to you, over in 5mins, BUT it was an actual お茶席, having to enter the room, view the 掛け軸,
sit through the whole お点前 ceremony....I was happily surprised (all for 300yen!) but also slightly embarrased because I was wearing jeans (the biggest no-no in ocha, and probably other Japanese traditional cultural activities, as it is without a doubt the worst piece of clothing to wear while sitting 正座 as they are too tight and make your legs go to sleep with 150% certainty!!) AND I turned up to the お茶会 手ぶら！ I didn't have my little fan, or my お懐紙 (paper to put the sweets on)...and add to that the fact that I haven't been to a real tea ceremony for AGES, like, 3 years plus, as I quit お稽古 while pregnant with K...so I had forgotten ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, and made quite a few faff-ups, and of course lost all feeling in my legs before the 道具拝見 part, but I did enjoy it!
And it made me want to get back into it and re-learn! I was hoping to be able to have a chat with the tea ceremony teacher and perhaps consider starting up lessons again (obviously once TJ-baby is big enough) but I didnt get that much chance, as was too busy trying to keep my legs from falling off, and watching everyone else to try to copy them. I am sure they will have it again, so I am gonna keep an eye out and hope to go along again some time, more prepared next time, tho!
35. (1/12)
21/7/2010 Joined up for summer swimming at the "y". Day 1: 20laps breastroke, 20laps freestyle.
#30. and #31.
Got both massage and pedi while in Bali. Actually, two massages, one at the hotel, in a "day spa" and the other at the airport while waiting for our plane home, lol.
Also got a two pedis, as H and I have a ritual of going to get our feet done when we meet up when I am home, so we did it again this time in Oct.
9/1/2011
#27. I think I am getting close, finally! After 7 months, the weight finally started to come off, and I am back into regular clothes. Still feel like I have 1-2kgs to lose (haven't been on the scales for a bit, but last time weighed in at around *5.4kg, so is good!!)
Unfortunately after summer, my excercise efforts have gone out the window. SIgh. Maybe when L gets a bit bigger and is not teething/clingy/attached at the hip etc etc ;)
May 15 2011
27. Done! Currently floating around the *2kg mark, which is 1kg UNDER my pre-preg weight
28. DONE! How happy am i ;)
29. Been trying to do this since in aus, but still have some days where I forget ;(
31. And two pedis while back in Aus Apri-May 2011!! Bright red nail polish each time. Man, there is nothing better!! Gonna try to find a place around here that does spa pedis and keep this up over the summer at least.
DETOX
45 . Have a computer free day at least once a week for 12 weeks (0/12)
46 . Spend a week with no internet (skype an exception)
47 . Spend a week with no TV
48 . Go for a week without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert
49 . Go for 2 weeks in a row without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert(0/2)
50 . Go for a month without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Detox is not my strong point....made all the while harder by lack of sleep, inducing crazy sugar cravings, lol, and my iPhone which basically makes it impossible for me to be "computer or internet" free. sigh. Will have to work harder on this one.
Oh, and I am not counting days when we are away from home all day and I don't use the computer/internet by default...it has to be a DEDICATED tech-free day.
46 . Spend a week with no internet (skype an exception)
47 . Spend a week with no TV
48 . Go for a week without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert
49 . Go for 2 weeks in a row without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert(0/2)
50 . Go for a month without buying any chocolate/chips/junk food/dessert.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Detox is not my strong point....made all the while harder by lack of sleep, inducing crazy sugar cravings, lol, and my iPhone which basically makes it impossible for me to be "computer or internet" free. sigh. Will have to work harder on this one.
Oh, and I am not counting days when we are away from home all day and I don't use the computer/internet by default...it has to be a DEDICATED tech-free day.
USING MY BRAIN
51 . Study Japanese for at least 30 minutes once a month (0/33)
52 . Read a novel in Japanese
53 . Sit JLPT or JETRO test
54 . Read 5 novels in English (3/5)
PROGRESS REPORTS
#54
Oct 2010: "The girl with the Dragon Tatoo"
I also read a book just before L arrived, but for the life of me I cannot remember what book it was ;( pregnancy brain and all that. I think it was a library book, too, so I can't even look on the bookshelf to try to trigger my memory, lol!
Feb 2011 Dead Until Dark, by Charlaine Harris
52 . Read a novel in Japanese
53 . Sit JLPT or JETRO test
54 . Read 5 novels in English (3/5)
PROGRESS REPORTS
#54
Oct 2010: "The girl with the Dragon Tatoo"
I also read a book just before L arrived, but for the life of me I cannot remember what book it was ;( pregnancy brain and all that. I think it was a library book, too, so I can't even look on the bookshelf to try to trigger my memory, lol!
Feb 2011 Dead Until Dark, by Charlaine Harris
DURING PREGNANCY
55 . Do yoga dvd once a week (starting now)
PROGRESS REPORT
11/2/2010 Haven't been able to find the yoga dvd, so haven't started this yet...
9/1/2011 Never found the dvd, so this is a FAILED thing. oh well :(
PROGRESS REPORT
11/2/2010 Haven't been able to find the yoga dvd, so haven't started this yet...
9/1/2011 Never found the dvd, so this is a FAILED thing. oh well :(
MONEY AND SAVINGS
56 . Start Mon-Sun week budget and refresh self each Monday for 12 weeks in a row (0/12)
57 . Once completed above, continue with 家計簿 every month.
58 . Make a bank book in each child's name.
59 . Use this bank book to make an education fund, depositing at least 5,000 yen per child per month (adjust as budget allows).
60 . Save 10万円 in 500yen coins
61 . Go three whole months (not necessarily in succession) without buying any single clothing item for any member of the family (0/3)
62 . Get our weekly shopping (groceries only) down to 6000 yen (hahaha! Can only try I guess…)
63 . Be able to put away 5000yen a month to pay back money for the car.
64 . Be able to put at least 5000 yen away per month for a travel fund
PROGRESS REPORT
7/2/2010 Got a headstart with the 500yen coin collection, as found a stash (8500yen worth!) of 500yen coins, yay! Have found it easy to throw 500yen coins in the tin as the week progresses, actually I try to MAKE 500yen coins in change, but realised that if I keep on doing this, I will run out of money, so have deciced to keep the 55yens in my purse, and if they are still there at the end of the budget month, then I shall put them in the money box.
5000yen a month savings - just realised that in effect, we are actually putting away just under 5000yen a month with our loan repayment, as I always put a bit extra into the a/c each month. So this shouldn't be hard to make a 5000yen a month commitment.
#58.
10/2/2010 Tried to open an a/c for K at the post office, but need an inkan to do it - an inkan for a 2year old (rolls eyes). So am trying to decide if we make one for her,or which inkan we use
9/1/2011 Both kids have accounts, and all their birth gift money and new years money is going into it. Also hoping to add their child allowance into it (currently it goes into a diff a/c so need to withdraw it a couple of times a year in lump sums and transfer to their individual accounts.)
57 . Once completed above, continue with 家計簿 every month.
58 . Make a bank book in each child's name.
59 . Use this bank book to make an education fund, depositing at least 5,000 yen per child per month (adjust as budget allows).
60 . Save 10万円 in 500yen coins
61 . Go three whole months (not necessarily in succession) without buying any single clothing item for any member of the family (0/3)
62 . Get our weekly shopping (groceries only) down to 6000 yen (hahaha! Can only try I guess…)
63 . Be able to put away 5000yen a month to pay back money for the car.
64 . Be able to put at least 5000 yen away per month for a travel fund
PROGRESS REPORT
7/2/2010 Got a headstart with the 500yen coin collection, as found a stash (8500yen worth!) of 500yen coins, yay! Have found it easy to throw 500yen coins in the tin as the week progresses, actually I try to MAKE 500yen coins in change, but realised that if I keep on doing this, I will run out of money, so have deciced to keep the 55yens in my purse, and if they are still there at the end of the budget month, then I shall put them in the money box.
5000yen a month savings - just realised that in effect, we are actually putting away just under 5000yen a month with our loan repayment, as I always put a bit extra into the a/c each month. So this shouldn't be hard to make a 5000yen a month commitment.
#58.
10/2/2010 Tried to open an a/c for K at the post office, but need an inkan to do it - an inkan for a 2year old (rolls eyes). So am trying to decide if we make one for her,or which inkan we use
9/1/2011 Both kids have accounts, and all their birth gift money and new years money is going into it. Also hoping to add their child allowance into it (currently it goes into a diff a/c so need to withdraw it a couple of times a year in lump sums and transfer to their individual accounts.)
EVENTS
65. Do 七五三 for K (2010, 2012)
66 . Get a professional family photo done
67 . Take a family Christmas photo (1/2)
PROGRESS REPORTS
65. Meiji Shrine, on Nov 7, 2010
66. By defualt, taken during K's 7-5-3 photo shoot, lol! Hoping to actually get more photos done for L's 1st birthday. (once you start taking those studio alice type photos, it can get addictive -- too cute I tell you, lol!!)
67. We tried our best - hard as L was asleep just as our time with Santa came, oh well. Taken at myx, Yokohama, lol!
66 . Get a professional family photo done
67 . Take a family Christmas photo (1/2)
PROGRESS REPORTS
65. Meiji Shrine, on Nov 7, 2010
66. By defualt, taken during K's 7-5-3 photo shoot, lol! Hoping to actually get more photos done for L's 1st birthday. (once you start taking those studio alice type photos, it can get addictive -- too cute I tell you, lol!!)
67. We tried our best - hard as L was asleep just as our time with Santa came, oh well. Taken at myx, Yokohama, lol!
AROUND THE HOUSE
68 . Start a herb garden.
69 . Grow a nice, grassy lawn
70 . Get rid of anything we don't use and is still unpacked after 6 months (by July 2010)
71 . Go through all clothes and donate to charity or recycle anything we don't need.
PROGRESS REPORTS
30/6/2010 Have to say that by the end of May, the grass was well and trully grown, and we officially have a lawn!! Granted, there are some patches, since we used seed, but we can fix those up with a bit more seed. Am loving the lawn!
30/6/2010 Small herb garden outside, in planters: parsely
Inside on the kitchen window sill - lemon balm.
Also lots of tomatoes, and a zucchini plant in the yard are coming along well. Can start our own farmers market soon if things go well ;)
9/1/2011 Well, over summer the seed lawn started to die off, so we started again with turf. This time -- real success :)
The herb garden also lost its umph once the cold hit. Is this usual, or just useless of us?? So I guess we try again when it warms up.
69 . Grow a nice, grassy lawn
70 . Get rid of anything we don't use and is still unpacked after 6 months (by July 2010)
71 . Go through all clothes and donate to charity or recycle anything we don't need.
PROGRESS REPORTS
30/6/2010 Have to say that by the end of May, the grass was well and trully grown, and we officially have a lawn!! Granted, there are some patches, since we used seed, but we can fix those up with a bit more seed. Am loving the lawn!
30/6/2010 Small herb garden outside, in planters: parsely
Inside on the kitchen window sill - lemon balm.
Also lots of tomatoes, and a zucchini plant in the yard are coming along well. Can start our own farmers market soon if things go well ;)
9/1/2011 Well, over summer the seed lawn started to die off, so we started again with turf. This time -- real success :)
The herb garden also lost its umph once the cold hit. Is this usual, or just useless of us?? So I guess we try again when it warms up.
ORGANISING
72 . Organise the playroom so it's easy to clean and keep (relatively!) tidy.
73 . Do something about the 押し入れ in our bedroom.
74 . Follow weekly cleaning schedule for 4 weeks in a row (0/4)
75 . Follow weekly cleaning schedule for 3 months (0/3)
72. Feb 2011 - bought some organiser type cabinets from Ikea, with boxes for all the toys to go into. I think it is helping to keep things better organised there now ;)
73 . Do something about the 押し入れ in our bedroom.
74 . Follow weekly cleaning schedule for 4 weeks in a row (0/4)
75 . Follow weekly cleaning schedule for 3 months (0/3)
72. Feb 2011 - bought some organiser type cabinets from Ikea, with boxes for all the toys to go into. I think it is helping to keep things better organised there now ;)
COOKING
76 . Learn to make 10 recipes by heart (1/10)
77 . Cook fish for dinner 2 times a week for 12 weeks (1/12)
78 . Attempt to make 漬物
79 . Make a pie crust that I am happy with!
80 . Make at least 15 recipes out of oven recipe book
PROGRESS REPORT
19/7/2010
#76. I can make my ふわふわegg roll by heart now! baby steps....
#78. MIL gave me a headstart, with what she called "3-5-8". You can make pickles in the fridge, very easy. Ok, not quite the nuka pickles, but hey, it is a start!
9/1/2011
#77 Actually we DO eat a lot more fish, altho I havent been counting, so I guess we start the count now. Luckily, this week we had salmon and "saba" :)
#79. Making a pie crust with a clingy, teething 8 month old is just NOT gonna happen, lol! Started using wanton wrappers and making mini-quiche instead!!! Will get back to this one sometime this year....
#76 I STILL look up recipes for pumpkin 煮物 and other "staples". Really must memorize and then trust my instincts!
77 . Cook fish for dinner 2 times a week for 12 weeks (1/12)
78 . Attempt to make 漬物
79 . Make a pie crust that I am happy with!
80 . Make at least 15 recipes out of oven recipe book
PROGRESS REPORT
19/7/2010
#76. I can make my ふわふわegg roll by heart now! baby steps....
#78. MIL gave me a headstart, with what she called "3-5-8". You can make pickles in the fridge, very easy. Ok, not quite the nuka pickles, but hey, it is a start!
9/1/2011
#77 Actually we DO eat a lot more fish, altho I havent been counting, so I guess we start the count now. Luckily, this week we had salmon and "saba" :)
#79. Making a pie crust with a clingy, teething 8 month old is just NOT gonna happen, lol! Started using wanton wrappers and making mini-quiche instead!!! Will get back to this one sometime this year....
#76 I STILL look up recipes for pumpkin 煮物 and other "staples". Really must memorize and then trust my instincts!
BEING HANDY
81 . Sew ties in doona covers (so doonas don't slip about) (0/4)
82 . Take up pants that are too long
83 . Take up curtains / fix curtain with hole in it
84 . Learn how to sew something simple.
85 . Remake a piece of my clothing into something K can wear
82 . Take up pants that are too long
83 . Take up curtains / fix curtain with hole in it
84 . Learn how to sew something simple.
85 . Remake a piece of my clothing into something K can wear
PERSONAL
86 . Write a list of things I am grateful for once a month (0/33)
87 . Get a psychic reading
88 . Apply for permanent residency
89 . Write a letter to Aunty E, Uncle M, and Uncle G at least 2 times a year
90 . Go to the hairdressers at least once a year
PROGRESS REPORT
#86. While I don't write a list on my blog, I really have been taking the time to stop and think about what I have to be grateful for. In most cases, it comes down to great, caring, considerate, happy and healthy family and friends.
9/1/2011 ok, so cant count how many months that is already, but I am doing this every month
#90. Had the chop a week before L came along - slowly growing it out, so it will be a while before I go back again!!
17/5/2011
Also got a fab style cut (longish bob) while in Aus (colour honey brown with blond highlights) on a "grabone" deal. It looked great when they blowdried it in the salon....looks kinda ok still now, but no way I can re-create that salon look, since my hair flicks OUT rather than under :(
9/1/2011
#88 Appying this Friday - wish me luck!!
17/5/2011
Still waiting obviously to hear back if I "passed" or not tho....
87 . Get a psychic reading
88 . Apply for permanent residency
89 . Write a letter to Aunty E, Uncle M, and Uncle G at least 2 times a year
90 . Go to the hairdressers at least once a year
PROGRESS REPORT
#86. While I don't write a list on my blog, I really have been taking the time to stop and think about what I have to be grateful for. In most cases, it comes down to great, caring, considerate, happy and healthy family and friends.
9/1/2011 ok, so cant count how many months that is already, but I am doing this every month
#90. Had the chop a week before L came along - slowly growing it out, so it will be a while before I go back again!!
17/5/2011
Also got a fab style cut (longish bob) while in Aus (colour honey brown with blond highlights) on a "grabone" deal. It looked great when they blowdried it in the salon....looks kinda ok still now, but no way I can re-create that salon look, since my hair flicks OUT rather than under :(
9/1/2011
#88 Appying this Friday - wish me luck!!
17/5/2011
Still waiting obviously to hear back if I "passed" or not tho....
OTHER
91 . Finish South America traveblog
92 . Start making 年賀状 snd Christmas cards at the beginning of December every year (1/3).
93 . File all received 年賀状 by the end of January every year, updating addresses on computer list (0/3)
94 . Start writing Xmas cards at the beginning of December every year (0/3)
95 . Make a blog list of all the countries I have been to, and dates of travel (referring to passports and photos)
96 . Make a blog list of all mountains I have climbed in Japan
97 . Make a blog list of the places in Japan I have visited (use photos as reference)
98 . Import all photos from old computer to current computer, AND save on disks
99 . Save all digital photos on facebook or Picasa or similar on-line photo storage site
100 . Update how the list is going on my blog at least 6 times (1/6 )
101 . Donate 500 yen to charity for every unfinished task at the end of this challenge.
17/2/2010 Score! I found $40US while going through South America stuff to do #91, lol!
April 2010
#101. Since I didnt get the pregnancy exercise thing happening, I decided already to donate to the Kathy Sugio fund (10,000yen). I hope to donate more to her children's fund as I go through this challenge.
#100. 9/1/2011 - updated my progress by linking this blog to my regular blog. It was a long time coming, haha
9/1/2011
#92 Well I STARTED at the beginning of Dec, and we got our nengajo out before new years at least, lol...next year will try even harder, esp with the Xmas cards for overseas....
#93 Nengajo filed away (in a-i-u-e-o order). Just gotta update addresses.
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