Made it Through Another Examination Hell!

Last year two of the kids had entrance exams, and this year one.  Ai's junior high school recommended her to her first choice high school (public).  She also passed both of the exams she took at two other schools (private) in town.  There is still one more exam (public) in March, which she will not need to take now that her decision is settled.

Congratulations Ai!  But remember, just because you don't HAVE to study for the March exams, doesn't mean you get to goof off, either.  (Well, too much anyway.)

Two Sore Throats are Better Than One?

Well, Nozomi's lunches got made. Was that already 2 weeks ago? Then last week, she had nothing but tests every day. And a fever, and then a sore throat. She plugged away in spite of feeling awful. Wednesday she had an interview at her first-choice university, and she had no voice - none at all! But now her tests are over, and her voice is nearly mended. She'll get the results of her interview on the 10th of Dec.

Mom got a sore throat, too. I guess I didn't want Nozomi to suffer all alone? See, I can be nice that way.

Ganbatte Nozomi!

My senior-in-high-school daughter and I have a deal where I give her a monthly lunch allotment. It's up to her to get her own lunch ready in the morning. If she chooses not to make something at home, then she can use the money I've given her. If she would rather have that money for other spending, then she can take her own lunch.

Well, it works pretty well. The biggest problem has been that I actually don't have cash on hand to give to her, but when I do, I try. It's a disappointment to her, I know, but she seems to understand that there's only so much money to go around.

Here's an extension of that deal. Last week she cut her brother's hair. We used to pay her about half the going rate for that, but this time she offered to barter her services as barber. My task this week is to make her lunches!

I know, I know, most "real" mothers in Japan (I mean Japanese mothers) show their love for their child by making superb boxed lunches. Once in a while I give it a shot, but it is HARD! However, Nozomi is now entering the week of preparing for interviews to get into university. The "Examination Hell" is just around the corner for her. But, she was awarded a chance to enter the university of her choice via recommendation. So, in order for her to put all her energy into preparing for the interview, she asked me to make her lunches this week.

It's time for me to do some menu planning! Here's one link that I've found helpful. Really cool Japanese lunched boxes. And this cook is not even Japanese and has never even lived in Japan (I think). Maybe there's hope for me yet!

Nice fight, Nozomi! I'm rooting for you!