Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I'm thankful for my family...

I'm thankful for my friends...

I'm thankful for my life...

And I'm thankful for all of you!!!!

Thank you so much for your friendship.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and now let's eat!!!!

xoxo

The Worst Soccer Mom

No, I'm not talking about me. But I realize there are plenty of scary soccer moms out there.

Last Saturday was Ju Ju's last soccer game for the season (Fall). Believe it or not, I had enjoyed waking up in the early morning every Saturday, driving her to the game with her little sister Soapy and chatting up with other moms and kids. So, we're very excited and yet a little bit sad that it was her last game.

I don't know why, but when we got to the field, we only had only 4 players including Ju Ju on her team, the Eagle. The other team, the Tigers had all the kids had showed up. The coaches from both teams talked and they decided to allow Ju Ju's coach's step-daughter to play for the Eagle as a backup. The problem was the step-daughter was a two years older than the rest of the kids.

As soon as the whistle blew, one of moms from the Tiger started yelling, "why is she playing? She is bigger than the other kids. It's not fair! It's not fair!" And she was getting louder and louder. And she happened to be the wife of one of Tiger's coaches. While her husband ingored her ranting, she started complaining to the other coach for the Tiger. The coach said, "If we thought it would be a problem, I wouldn't have allowed her to play. It should be fine." She finally got quiet when the girl (coach's step daughter) scored a goal.

"................................"

That's when the Hell broke loose. The mom stood up, pointing finger and yelling, "It's not fair. That point shouldn't be counted. Why do we care about the other team not having enough kids. It's not our problem, it's their problem!!"

Now, I'm getting pissed off listening to her. Then she said, "I want to see how the other team would feel if they lost the game becaus we had an older player against them." Seriously, I was almost went up to her and said, "Are you really saying this? After all these months we're playing together, having good times, are you really saying that you don't give a shit about the other kids as long as your kid's team wins?" Because I can proudly say that Ju Ju's team won the game only once out of 9 games. But Ju Ju and her teammates kept on playing with a huge smile on their faces. We all know what it's like to lose because we never won the games except one time. But they don't care because they love playing soccer regardless. I mean, we always talk to our kids that the game is not about losing or winning, but having fun, but this woman completely do the opposite. Granted, our coach probably should have told the daughter not to score, but help the Eagles turning their ball, etc. But the woman didn't need to act the way she did.

Moreover, the husband of the mom - the coach. He wasn't even saying anything - he should be embarrased the way his wife was acting. When the first half ended, she dashed to the field ref and her husband to do something while the rest of the parents were looking at her thinking, "What the hell is your problem, woman?"

Ju Ju's coach finally said, "I'm sorry, we have no problem playing with four kids. I was only concerned about them not getting any break, but they will be fine. I didn't mean to cause any problem - sorry about that.." That's when I pleaded with tears in my eyes, "YES!! The Eagles are fine with four players. We only want to play and have fun. Come on, stop this. Let's have a good time, PLEASE!!!" I had enough with this woman who was ruining our last game by screaming and yelling in front of our kids and other parents. It was very sad and it really hurt my feeling to see that the coach had to apologize like that.

JT was just listening to all that was going on quietly, but finally opened his mouth to the ranting mom, "STOP CRYING LIKE A BABY!!!" Oh, how much I love my husband.

The head coach of the league finally showed up and talked to the coaches, and the mom. She was still ranting when he said, "Well, but we can't play with only 4 kids agaist each others and have the rest of the kids watching the game at the sideline. We need at least 5 players. That was the only solution at the time. Now, how do we solve this problem - and the answer is to have one player from the Tigers." That's when one of the dads said, "C will play for the Eagles.." Apparently he was talking to his daughter C who goes to the same school as Ju Ju while this ugliness was going down that maybe she could help the Eagles by playing for them. Before we knew it, C changed her uniform to the Eagle's color and ran to Ju Ju. The dad said, "C, make sure you run to the other goal, okay? Don't kick the ball to the Tigar!" and she smiled and the game resumed. I cried because it was such a sweet moment. C knew that the she's in the losing team (because you know, the Eagles is realy weak. LOL) and wouldn't win the last game, but she showed everyone that it's not about winning or losing, but having fun. And I thank her and the dad for showing what a true compassion and sportsmiship is all about.

When the game was over, The Eagles lost again to the Tigers 3-4. Ju Ju scored two goals. At the end of the game, the ref came up to me and JT and pointed to Ju JU and said, "The player of the game.." He smiled and winked at us and left the field.

JT and I are so proud of Ju Ju who never complained about losing or never taking a break. She really loves playing soccer. She can't wait to play for the next season coming January. And I am praying to God that I will never see that mom's face again, but I know she'll be there...

Have you seen any scary stage mom before???

Bonfire

Yes, I'm still alive. I have been absent because you know the lame excuse I always use - yes, I've been busy. And because there are so many things to talk about, I don't even know where to start. When my brain goes blank (not because there's nothing to talk about, but because I want to talk about everything, all at once), I choose to talk about music.



I used to be blindedly in love with Stephen Jenkins from Third Eye Blind. Do you remember him and his band? Right now, I'm in love with one of their songs from the new album that came out past summer after so many years of silence. It is called "Bonfire" - this song is beautiful!

When I think about bonfire, I think of my younger years in Japan during summer vacation or being on the beach of Hawaii... There is something about bonfire that always bring out good memories in my life and this song just does that... Awe I love this song...

My Little Star Player...

This is my daughter Ju Ju. She's been playing soccer since September and she got the first medal in her team for being a great team player. Her team "Eagles" has not won any game, but Ju Ju always tries her best. Actually, she's the only one who scores goal (well, actually two other girls have scored one goal each). The first time they played, their team lost the game against Tigers 1-6. The second time they played, Eagles lost against Tigers 2-6. Third game, they lost again to Tigers 2-5. Fourth game, they lost again to Tigers 3-6. Then last time, again they lost 4-6 of which Ju Ju scored all four goals and most of the goals in the past for her team.

She always gets disappointed that her team hasn't won the game and she tell me, "Mama, my team will never going to win.." - but then, I tell her, "Remember what did your coach say?" And she answers, "It's not about winning or losing, it's about having fun!!" with a HUGE smile on her face.

She honestly tells me playing soccer has been the best thing she's ever done in her life, and that she can't stop thinking about the next game after the game. Sometimes, she tries to picture herself playing well in her head when she goest to sleep. She really loves it.

I never imagined that I would wake up early on Saturday morning being a soccer mom, but I truly enjoy getting up and watch my daughter play with her friends. Her coach is a great person and I'm grateful that he's taught her something that's very important in her life: patience and endurance.

I love my daughter.... I'm proud of her...

Go Ju Ju! Go Eagles! Let's win this Saturday!

My Little Sunshine...

I just want to squeeze her...

I Turned 36, But I Am Young At Heart

First thing first, thank you so much for all of your well wishes about my mom!! She's doing better and trying to get better back in Tokyo, Japan. She goes to physical therapy twice a week, and dialysis three times a week for four hours which have been tough on her body, but she's doing it to live. I used to tell her, "Don't live your life to do dialysis, but do it to live." She's optimistic and I hope she will be okay again soon.

So, it's been a hectic week for me and there are several reasons for it.

*My lovely sister was visiting us for five days after 12 days of business trip in Paris and NY. She got here last week Friday and we had such lovely stay. Good food, shopping and catching up with stories - I was soo happy she was here, but more so for my girls. Ju Ju and Soapy wouldn't leave her alone and they also ended up sleeping with my sister on the same bed..

* JT and I left our girls with my sister on Saturday night for my little birthday party. It wasn't like last year's 35th birthday; I didn't want a big party. So I went out with JT, his youngest brother and two of my BFF here in Florida. I had many glasses of vodka and pineapple and danced to great music, but I got sick in the car on the way home. Apparently, Ju Ju found me half naked in the bathroom sleeping, but I don't remember because I woke up in my bed with pearl necklace still around my neck.

* I celebrated my birthday again on Sunday evening with JT's family - My sister joined and we had a very heart warming dinner together. I love family. Family is number 1.

* Oct 12th was my birthday and I took a day off from work - fabulous!!!! JT took us to my favorite Japanese rstaurant that night and we had "shrimp tempra udon" and ton of sushi and rolls - oh they were delicious and the owner of the restaurant treated us with Japanese deserts :) I love deserts..

* My sister left us the next morning - it was very hard for me to say good bye. She is my best friend. She told me, "Why don't you move back to Hawaii?" - I miss her already...

In conclusion, it was very crazy week for me and my family, but it was one of my happinest week in a long time. I laughed a lot and my daughters got to know their auntie a little better. All I wanted for my birthday was my family and I got the perfect gift because I had my sister. I'm 36, but I still feel like I'm in my 20's. I don't know if it's a good thing or bad, but I feel a lot younger than before. I think I'm rebeling against time and aging. Do you feel younger or older after your birthday??

Have a sweet weekend, beautiful!!!

xoxo

Your Prayer For My Mom

I've had some tough days for the past week or so. I found out from my dad that my mother was in the hospital because of her condition which she has renal failure (kidney failure). Many of my blogging friends already know that she's been on dialysis for more than 9 years now. I've cried so much for the past 9 days, it's not even funny. The thing is when I'm with my daughters, I forget that my mom is sick - it's the strength of love. My kids get me through very sad and most difficult days... Or going to see Ju Ju play soccer or me being a backup player for my brother-in-law's kickball team and played for the first time since elementary school last week. These little things can temporary, but surely have escaped me from being scared about my mom.

But it gets tough when I go to bed; when I don't have to be the strong mom for my girls; when I don't have to put a brave smile on my face. I can't stop thinking about the worst thing that could happen to my mom and I haven't had a good night sleep. The fear of losing her is tremendous. I'm very scared. It's been very scary nights for me. Every time when I hear my cell phone ring, I think for a second, "Is this the call?" -- well, usually it's JT or my friends, but my heart would skip a bit...

Thank goodness, my mom is home now and resting. When I talked to her yesterday, she's doing better and sounded like her usual self - very cheerful and full of love. Again, she was the one telling me not to worry and everything is going to be fine, when I should be the one telling her she'll be fine - I was crying again like a baby and she said in Japanese, "Aww my baby, Maki-chan. Don't be sad, I'm fine, don't worry... "

My dad, on the other hand, is a very honest man. He wouldn't lie to me. So he did tell me it was very scary that he had to call ambulance at 3 in the morning and bringing her to the ER. He told me she's okay now, but he needs to stay by my mom's side for a while..

So, if I could ask you a little bit of help, a favor, to see if you could pray for my mom... It would mean so much to me. I know the power of prayer - I know it works... So if I could ask you your five seconds or ten seconds, please think about my mama - the person who means everything to me because I can't lose her now...

Oh There Are So Many Things, But Never Enough Time w/ Two New Kittens

Howdy!! How have you been??? I've been busy as always and things are busier than ever... It seems there are so many things to do and never enough time.

Here's the rundown of what's been going on in Maki's world for the past week.

1. Julia started soccer - She's so great at it, I can't believe it's her first time being in the team. She's got some talent.

2. I am a soccer mom now. You know, the one cheers on her kid during practice and the game, screaming and telling her how to kick the ball from the sideline.. Yes, that's me.

3. JT's been playing softball - and he's enjoying it. His younger brother has been playing softball for the past several months and I was hoping JT would play, too. Now JT's work started their own team and he's in it. We've been going to his practices together and watch several games too. Truth is as JT admits it, his team sucks and needs improvement A LOT, but the players are all enjoying it. BTW, JT is pretty good at it and he looks amazing in the uniform. Also, the girls are so happy every time when it's their daddy's turn to hit the ball.

4. Like I've said in August, we have fianlly adopted two little kittens. Initially we planned to adopt only one kitty. When we went to the animal shelter, there are literary over 30 kittens and cats waiting to go to a happy home. I was crying like a baby.. I've had six cats in my life and three have died, so I was very wary about getting another one. It was very painful experiences to lose my cats, so I didn't want to go through with it. But like I said bfore, the girls wanted to have kittie for over a year or so, JT was encounraging me every single day for the past several months. Anyway, I finally decided that the girls deserve to have a kittie, so we went back to the shelter and returned home with two kittens instead of one.

The kitties are still small and have two more weeks to get neutered. I'm sorry no photos yet - they are still trying to adjust to their new home and we're trying to give them some space. Their names are Ruddish (girl) and Firefly (boy) - they are litter mate (they are brother and sisiter) and the people at the shlter gave their name. Ju Ju wants to keep their name, but Soapy wants to change it to Princess and Star.. We're still going back and forth with it, but hopefully soon we can settle with the real names.

I'll talk about the day we adopted the kittens in later post. I really want to dedicate the post to all the dogs and cats who are living in the shelters all over the country.... They really need a happy home. In two weeks, I will go back to the shelter with the kitties to get them neutered and will formally adopt them. I am thinking about taking the pictures of all the kittens and adult cats who are in the shelter and post them with their name on it... They are so cute and they will break you heart. I wish I could adopt all of them.

I hope all is well with you, sweetness...

xoxo