Your gaze is MINE!!!

Yesterday, the three of us were chillin' in front of the TV. To paint a visual image, I was sitting on a chair, Yuta was on my lap facing me, and Josh was on a chair next to me. I saw something interesting on TV, so I turned to Josh to discuss it. I was laughing and chatting when Yuta put his chubby little hand on my cheek and turned my face towards him. He gave me a smile, but I was not fooled! He didn't want me talking to Josh. I kind of laughed. Josh, very interested in what he just did, told me to repeat my gesture. So I turned towards Josh again to talk. Again, Yuta put his chubby little hand on my cheek to turn my face.
It's one of those moments if you're not sure if you should be happy or worried. Jealousy strikes the 15 month old munchkin?!

Funny dream

I was re-reading some of the blog postings I put up on Xanga a while back. I've converted over to this blogger maybe about a year ago, but my Xanga one was still active.
I found this one to be funny, so I'm re-posting it here!

I am Superwoman! I had a dream last night that I was a super hero of some sort-- something like Superman. So I was flying around, helping people in distress... rescuing people from burning buildings, stopping a train on a broken bridge, take down a kitty in a tree, etc. Except... I had to stop every 2-3 hours because I needed to breastfeed. LoL. What a super hero!

Just when you think you've seen it all...

In the Japanese culture, there are many verbal formalities that go with actions. It becomes habitual after a while, naturally, but I think it's still nice. There's a verbal exchange that happens when someone is about to leave the home, for instance. The person leaving says "I'll be going now", and the person staying will say "go on, now". (rough translation) We also say a phrase before and after we eat. Before we eat, we say "itadakimasu," which means, I will graciously accept this food. After we finish eating, we say "gochisousamadeshita," which means, it was a great meal. (roughly)

I've been trying to be a model for such formalities in our home, as I speak mostly Japanese with my baby, and trying to teach Japanese to my husband. So I do the whole itadakimasu and gochisousama. Well, Yuta's finally got it. He knows that when I wipe his hand and wipe his mouth, it's "gochisousama." He doesn't say it yet, but he bows deeply! DEEEPLY. Like a samurai. It is so hilarious! We try so hard not to laugh because it is a great gesture, but it is difficult not to! My husband says it's because I do that when showing him gochisousama. I guess I do?! So many things I didn't know I do that I now know I do because Yuta does it. (got it?)

He also copies my fake laugh. "ha ha ha" Out of nowhere! He just does it! Geeeez. do I sound that bad??

When we get bored, we frolic on the bed. He loves it. He likes wobble-walking on it, falling down on purpose, trying to jump, me throwing him, etc. On bad weather days, it's a great way to get him to burn some steam!

All clear!

Ever since I've hit my teens, I've had an ongoing battle with acne. I've tried so many things-- lotions, creams, facewash, vitamins, herbs, you name it! But it kept comin' back. As many of you ladies know, it becomes worst before the wicked enemy visitation days. (I call my monthly discomforts as "enemy visits".) Lucky for me, my visits only come every 5 or 6 weeks. Still.

Not only do the acne appear, I have regional dry skin. My face starts hurting in certain areas because they are so dry. I thought dry=no acne?? Wrong. I could not figure out the chemistry, since my dry skin wanted more moisture, usually with some form of oi, but I thought acne prevention would require less oil. It seemed like a hopeless battle. I might end up in my 50s with acne.

Finally!! I've found a combination of products that work. I now use the Biore 4-in-1 face wash for a non-harsh cleanser. Apparently it has some sort of toner in it that helps keep the pores tight. For moisturizer, I use a product from H2O. It is AMAZING. I think I had bought it probably 10 years ago, and I don't know why I didn't come to using it regularly. H2O is a store that's more internationally known, not so much in the U.S. There aren't very many stores around, so I bought it online. It's based on sea minerals and sea kelp. It is so amazing. My skin feels unbelievably moisturized all day long. I never feel any discomfort! Not only that, it keeps it moisturized without causing oiliness, acne, or uneven dryness. How does it do it?? I don't know. Maybe I am an islander after all-- I need the sea products.

It is amazing to have clear, comfortable skin. If you have no skin issues, you are so blessed! Now I have to find a moisturizer that works for the rest of my body... I've got the winter dry, scaly, flaky, itchy, prickly skin... :(