The Friday Five for December 9th and 16th, 2022
I'm rather late with these. Life has been hectic. Now, I can sit down and do some writing.
1. Have you gotten your flu shot yet? If not, why?
No. I never ever get the flu shot. I've gotten the flue maybe one or two times in my whole half a century of existence. When I was in Japanese elementary school, flu shots were mandatory every year. The doctors came to the schools to do it. Then, they stopped. Because it was proven that the shot did nothing to prevent the flu. It is all in your head. If you need to get the shot to feel you are safe, then you should, but I really don't.
2. Are your halls all bedecked or are you not quite there yet?
I put up Christmas decorations in the last week of November, which is rare for me. I do it when the mood comes because otherwise, I never get it done LOL
3. What is something you should really do this weekend but probably won’t?
A lot of cleaning. I will do some of it. I've already cleaned Audrey's room and am feeling like I accomplished my deed for the year :D
4. How will you be spending the weekend - at home, at the beach, skiing, or swimming?
At home or buying Christmas/stocking presents.
5. Are you already so over this year?
This year wasn't any worse than last year. Probably an improvement. I will enjoy the last days of the year by trying to complete my book challenge (70 books), making yummy Christmas food, and watching TV and doing a bunch of shopping. Christmas holidays are the only time I can enjoy windowshopping and baking so I am going to take advantage of it. I will miss these days once the New Year is here. I will also hold on to all the memories I can and have made with my kids. Especially Alex and Julian, who will be flying the coop soon.
Whoever reads this and is feeling like they are so over this year - I promise, whatever hardship you endured will become a fantastic memory.
:::::::::::::::::::::::
1. What's the present you gave you're most proud of?
A wallet, coin purse and gloves, coffee maker that I got for hubby. All were things he really wanted/needed and he never expects anything so it is gratifying to be able to buy them for him.
2. What's the most memorable present you've received?
Books from my uncle. He was an editor at a publishing house and I loved getting boxes of books from him.
3. How many people do you typically buy presents for at once, at the most presents-ish part of the year?
I pretty much go out one day and buy presents for everyone in my family at once. I'm glad I don't have to worry about anyone else. I like going shopping for people but I hate it when I don't know what to buy.
4. What sort of presents do you usually most enjoy receiving?
Things I really need/want. And only from family. Getting presents from others just is a lot of pressure to reciprocate.
5. How do you wrap presents? Paper or bag? Sellotape or just folding magic? Ribbon? Gift tag? Other?
Paper, usually. Sellotape, ribbon, of course gift tags from Santa :)
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Notes from December 13th
Five more days until the Christmas Presentation, and freedom!
All of my classes now are the last class before winter break so they have a different feel to them. I'm giving out lots of homework, and I will be practicing the parts for the play with those classes that have students participating in it.
Tomorrow, one of my teachers will be absent. All of the students in her class are participating in the play and the students in the classes I teach during that time are as well, so I am planning to combine classes and just do presentation stuff for that time.
There is so much to do.
And now
The Christmas Presentation was.... well, it's finished LOL! The introductions went well, but the play was a total flop. It was caos. I can't even think about it without cringing. Not just the kids but I was just.... ahg!
The thing I was really appreciative of was that hubby didn't say anything about it. He was just super supportive. It reminded me of those past years - long ago now, when he would become sooooo irritated with me and tell me all the things I did wrong. He has aged well LOL! The car ride home was silent for a while because I just did not want to talk, I was so embarrassed. Then he asked what we should do for dinner and I suggested buying something readymade instead of going out since Audrey was at cram school and wouldn't be around for dinner. (She is studying for highschool entrance exams.) We decided to go to the CO-OP supermarket which is rather expensive but has good sushi packs. I ended up making some barbecued spare ribs too, so we would be able to eat something warm as well. Hubby told me that what happened with the play, just happens sometimes, and I did my best. We had a good dinner.
Monday, I just stayed home and watched TV all day. I was drained and didn't feel like doing anything. I enjoyed watching all of The Alchemy of Souls, a Korean fantasy romance drama on Netflix. It wouldn't come on my page at Netflix USA but it is supposed to be there. The first season is even dubbed in English. I don't know why it's not on US Netflix. The new season is out but they are dolling it out one ep at a time and it is still only in Korean with subtitles. I enjoyed the first season in English, despite the stilted language - I think they were just trying to match the words with the mouth movements but it was super weird sometimes LOL I'm actually rewatching it and I've gotten used to the language so it doesn't bother me as much. The Japanese dubbing was even worse. It sounded like some anime and it just grossed me out. Anyway, the story is very well thought out, and something I would totally enjoy as a book as well.
It is about an assassine (girl) who is a soul-shifter - who uses sorcery to shift her soul to a different body when her enemies give her a fatal wound. The body she shifts to doesn't seem to have any powers and she can't access her own either. The son of one of the people who killed her father (and thus her enemy) figures out who she really is and asks her to be his Master and train him. He has his own problems and no one else will train him. The first season is super cute. The second is more serious and is giving me heart pains. Gahhhh.
Actually the story kind of reminds me of the old Jackie Chan films I used to watch as well. Lots of action, magical training, and an entertaining boy trio. The prince who is half enemy half friend is totally fun as well.
So, Tuesday, I did some cleaning and made some fruit cookies. Well, not some, a ton. I don't know how my family is going to eat it all. But, fruit cookies last, at least, and probably will taste better as time passes, so I'm only half worried. I was going to make some stollen too, but considering the number of cookies... I may not. We will see. I guess the bread can be eaten right away so it would be doable. This was my first try at fruit cookies. My mom used to make them and I had been searching for a recipe for the longest time. I finally found one that might be it, but I'm still not sure I got the right one and they didn't turn out the same either. I think my oven is dying. I hope it lasts at least until the turkey is cooked.
I want to go to one or two malls before Christmas to get presents. I still don't know exactly what to get everyone. Alex has asked me what I want, and I don't know what to tell him. I need a new oven. I need a new computer. But both are too expensive to ask of anyone. Plus, he is going to need lots of stuff when he moves out and I don't want him to spend his precious money on me. He was talking of living close by, which is very nice.
1. Have you gotten your flu shot yet? If not, why?
No. I never ever get the flu shot. I've gotten the flue maybe one or two times in my whole half a century of existence. When I was in Japanese elementary school, flu shots were mandatory every year. The doctors came to the schools to do it. Then, they stopped. Because it was proven that the shot did nothing to prevent the flu. It is all in your head. If you need to get the shot to feel you are safe, then you should, but I really don't.
2. Are your halls all bedecked or are you not quite there yet?
I put up Christmas decorations in the last week of November, which is rare for me. I do it when the mood comes because otherwise, I never get it done LOL
3. What is something you should really do this weekend but probably won’t?
A lot of cleaning. I will do some of it. I've already cleaned Audrey's room and am feeling like I accomplished my deed for the year :D
4. How will you be spending the weekend - at home, at the beach, skiing, or swimming?
At home or buying Christmas/stocking presents.
5. Are you already so over this year?
This year wasn't any worse than last year. Probably an improvement. I will enjoy the last days of the year by trying to complete my book challenge (70 books), making yummy Christmas food, and watching TV and doing a bunch of shopping. Christmas holidays are the only time I can enjoy windowshopping and baking so I am going to take advantage of it. I will miss these days once the New Year is here. I will also hold on to all the memories I can and have made with my kids. Especially Alex and Julian, who will be flying the coop soon.
Whoever reads this and is feeling like they are so over this year - I promise, whatever hardship you endured will become a fantastic memory.
:::::::::::::::::::::::
1. What's the present you gave you're most proud of?
A wallet, coin purse and gloves, coffee maker that I got for hubby. All were things he really wanted/needed and he never expects anything so it is gratifying to be able to buy them for him.
2. What's the most memorable present you've received?
Books from my uncle. He was an editor at a publishing house and I loved getting boxes of books from him.
3. How many people do you typically buy presents for at once, at the most presents-ish part of the year?
I pretty much go out one day and buy presents for everyone in my family at once. I'm glad I don't have to worry about anyone else. I like going shopping for people but I hate it when I don't know what to buy.
4. What sort of presents do you usually most enjoy receiving?
Things I really need/want. And only from family. Getting presents from others just is a lot of pressure to reciprocate.
5. How do you wrap presents? Paper or bag? Sellotape or just folding magic? Ribbon? Gift tag? Other?
Paper, usually. Sellotape, ribbon, of course gift tags from Santa :)
------------
Notes from December 13th
Five more days until the Christmas Presentation, and freedom!
All of my classes now are the last class before winter break so they have a different feel to them. I'm giving out lots of homework, and I will be practicing the parts for the play with those classes that have students participating in it.
Tomorrow, one of my teachers will be absent. All of the students in her class are participating in the play and the students in the classes I teach during that time are as well, so I am planning to combine classes and just do presentation stuff for that time.
There is so much to do.
And now
The Christmas Presentation was.... well, it's finished LOL! The introductions went well, but the play was a total flop. It was caos. I can't even think about it without cringing. Not just the kids but I was just.... ahg!
The thing I was really appreciative of was that hubby didn't say anything about it. He was just super supportive. It reminded me of those past years - long ago now, when he would become sooooo irritated with me and tell me all the things I did wrong. He has aged well LOL! The car ride home was silent for a while because I just did not want to talk, I was so embarrassed. Then he asked what we should do for dinner and I suggested buying something readymade instead of going out since Audrey was at cram school and wouldn't be around for dinner. (She is studying for highschool entrance exams.) We decided to go to the CO-OP supermarket which is rather expensive but has good sushi packs. I ended up making some barbecued spare ribs too, so we would be able to eat something warm as well. Hubby told me that what happened with the play, just happens sometimes, and I did my best. We had a good dinner.
Monday, I just stayed home and watched TV all day. I was drained and didn't feel like doing anything. I enjoyed watching all of The Alchemy of Souls, a Korean fantasy romance drama on Netflix. It wouldn't come on my page at Netflix USA but it is supposed to be there. The first season is even dubbed in English. I don't know why it's not on US Netflix. The new season is out but they are dolling it out one ep at a time and it is still only in Korean with subtitles. I enjoyed the first season in English, despite the stilted language - I think they were just trying to match the words with the mouth movements but it was super weird sometimes LOL I'm actually rewatching it and I've gotten used to the language so it doesn't bother me as much. The Japanese dubbing was even worse. It sounded like some anime and it just grossed me out. Anyway, the story is very well thought out, and something I would totally enjoy as a book as well.
It is about an assassine (girl) who is a soul-shifter - who uses sorcery to shift her soul to a different body when her enemies give her a fatal wound. The body she shifts to doesn't seem to have any powers and she can't access her own either. The son of one of the people who killed her father (and thus her enemy) figures out who she really is and asks her to be his Master and train him. He has his own problems and no one else will train him. The first season is super cute. The second is more serious and is giving me heart pains. Gahhhh.
Actually the story kind of reminds me of the old Jackie Chan films I used to watch as well. Lots of action, magical training, and an entertaining boy trio. The prince who is half enemy half friend is totally fun as well.
So, Tuesday, I did some cleaning and made some fruit cookies. Well, not some, a ton. I don't know how my family is going to eat it all. But, fruit cookies last, at least, and probably will taste better as time passes, so I'm only half worried. I was going to make some stollen too, but considering the number of cookies... I may not. We will see. I guess the bread can be eaten right away so it would be doable. This was my first try at fruit cookies. My mom used to make them and I had been searching for a recipe for the longest time. I finally found one that might be it, but I'm still not sure I got the right one and they didn't turn out the same either. I think my oven is dying. I hope it lasts at least until the turkey is cooked.
I want to go to one or two malls before Christmas to get presents. I still don't know exactly what to get everyone. Alex has asked me what I want, and I don't know what to tell him. I need a new oven. I need a new computer. But both are too expensive to ask of anyone. Plus, he is going to need lots of stuff when he moves out and I don't want him to spend his precious money on me. He was talking of living close by, which is very nice.