Day 6 Job

ok...I'm getting lamer and lamer and farther and farther apart between postings....but I'm still here.  Today's prompt is jobs.  There are a series of questions that I'll just answer and then explore from the prompts.

First job:  Babysitting for the neighbors.  I think I started babysitting when I was just 9 years old.  I was a responsible 9 year old though lol.  And to be honest we lived right next door to the people I babysat for so my mom could run over if there were any problems.  Their names were the Phillips.  They had a son that was 3 years younger than me and a daughter who was probably around 4 or 5.  Her name was Alison and she loved following me around.  They were pretty easy to babysit.  Their mother made porcelain dolls as a hobby and I loved going over and looking at all of the beautiful dolls that she made.

worst job:  working at hatches onion packing plant.  It was long hours, but the hard thing was that I kept messing up.  At the end of the day I had to take inventory and they wanted it done quickly.  I'm good at math, but not fast and everyone was always speaking in Spanish which made my math skills even slower.  Me and Gabi messed up the count numerous times which was frustrating for all of us.  We got yelled at a lot.  It was also a little stressful being the only white female working on the floor.  Not really that bad, but the language barrier was hard to deal with.  I spoke spanish, but wasn't as fluent as I needed to be.  The people were generally nice to me except for one guy who always leered at me.  But other than that everyone tried to be understanding and welcome me into the group.  It was a good learning experience even if the job itself was a little traumatic.

here's a list of jobs I've had:

strawberry picker
babysitter
waitress at a truck stop
maid
cashier at round table pizza
bean hoer
Inventory taker at Rowley's cherry packing plant
Inventory taker at Hatches onion packing plant
Raspberry picker
Americorp - worked at homecourt a program for latchkey kids
wilson diamonds -desk clerk, salesperson
ESL teacher - tutored from my apartment in NYC
Full time mother

Dream job - teaching English to refugees.  I'd really like to teach free classes to adults to help them integrate into society.  I have a minor in TESOL, but at this point I'm pretty sure I need to go back to school to update my degree.  It's been 20 years...and I've never really used it.

Current job - mother to 7 kids.  For the last couple of months I've been trying hard to remind myself, "I'm the mother, not the maid"  what are you acting like?  This helps me get my kids to take responsibility for themselves and not just picking up after them, but it's hard because they are usually so busy it's easier to do things myself.  Thankfully, COVID has given me the time to actually make them take responsibility for themselves.  I think sometimes I have lots of expectations for fun all of the time and it's good for me to have the time to make the kids work.  It's also good that Samantha and Nathan will have the opportunity to work this summer even though it means we are unable to go to the states this summer.  I'm trying to remind myself that my job is the kids and not the house and focusing on them is important and good.  I should try and make sure I have some one on one time with each of them everyday.   Even if it's just 10 minutes.  Usually I'm focused on having them do a job for me, but I probably need to focus on finding what they like and develping more of a fun relationship with them.

Day 5 Picture

Today's prompt is to use a picture or series of pictures to tell about your day or to talk about an event.  I'm going to choose pictures from April 21 2020.  Justin, Nathan and I went on a bike ride out to hamahiga island.  The ride was around 30 miles.  It was stunning and so much fun.  Unfortunately when we got to the starting point we realized that Nathan's bike was broken from the bike wreck he had on his birthday so we only had 2 working  bikes.  because of that we had to share.  Justin and I took turns riding the bike and driving the car.  It worked out pretty well...so really Justin and I only biked around 15 miles each, but Nathan did close to 30.  We have since biked to Zanpa and want to bike out to Naha soon too.  So fun!!!!!

Day 4 Mentors

There are lots of people who have had an amazing impact on my life.  But I can think of a few that really stood out to give me a different perspective and helped along the way.  I feel really fortunate that almost everywhere we moved I have had amazing examples of motherhood and womanhood all around me.  

The first one that stands out is Valecia Green.  She lived in the Bronx with us.  Her husband Matt and Justin went to medical school together.  She was such a positive light there.  I love her so much because of her optimistic personality and the way she found joy and positivity in motherhood.  She was a great strength to me during this time and I adore her.  She has so much energy and the confidence to teach dance and preschool and run the school store so that they could make it through medical school.  She also taught me not to wait for my husband to go on little trips and adventures.  This was an important lesson because Justin was busy for so many years...we never would have done anything if we waited until he was available.  She would bring so much joy and fun to every time we were together and it was awesome.  I love her ambition and positivity and testimony of motherhood.  

The next mentor to me was Bonnie Bush.  Though we weren't particularly close, I admired her for her large family and the love and joy that they all obviously had for each other.  I found it fascinating watching how she had them give an hour of service everyday before they were allowed to go play.  She was able to get a lot of work out of her kids and they became amazing and productive adults.  She is amazingly patient and kind.  Qualities that I admire immensely.  

In Connecticut I had 2 mentors.  Heather Larsen and Alicia Broce.  These women are amazing.  Heather would always make sure she "took time to play everyday".  Which means take time to sew or paint because she is one of the most amazing artists I know.  It was a good reminder to me that if I want to grow in an area, I need to allow myself time to grow there and give myself permission to let some things go in order to practice the things that I want.  Alicia was just a wonderful example of a woman who could do anything she put her mind to.  I love her big love and kindness to our kids especially.  She was the one who made waffles at 3 am for all of the deacons so they could have a fun time together.  Such a wonderful mom with a solid testimony of Jesus Christ.  

In England I learned a lot from Sarah Moran and Sherrie Johnson.  Sarah amazed me with her organization.  I had a chance to do some volunteer work with her and was blown away by her ability to simplify and organize.  We bought food for the high school food truck and she had the grocery store down to a science with everything we needed in order.  It was amazing.  She was also able to clean out those vans and make executive decisions quickly and easily.  I really struggle with all of those skills.  It was refreshing to see someone make quick sound decisions and see how well everything went when she did that.  Sherrie taught me positivity again.  We went on several family trips with the Johnsons and she always had amazing positive things to say everywhere we went.  She would just stop and say things like "Can you believe we are in Paris?"  or "Isn't this so beautiful?"  She helps me just to enjoy the moment even if there are lots of kids and crazy going on she is able to help everyone feel peace and joy and positivity in every moment.  I love Sherrie for this and for teaching these things to me.   

I'm so grateful to all of these women.  I hope I can become like them all.  

Day 3 Goals and accomplishments

Goals....I feel like that is the buzzword of my life.  In my patriarchial blessing it talks about how I will "reach all of my righteous goals"  I just need to "work hard" and "Put Jesus Christ first".  THis is a fabulous blessing, but I struggle with it a bit.  First of all, what is a righteous goal?  Even if it's something good, it can be bad if the motivation isn't pure ie seeking praise of the world rather than real accomplishment.  Anyway, what I've come down to is that the most righteous goal I can have is to have all of my kids gain a testimony and to be good citizens. I know I don't really have full control over that, but I can do my best to have the "finest gospel home"  and teach my children to love God and to serve him.  I listened to a talk today by Elder Whitney Clayton entitled Finest Homes.  I think it was one I probably slept through the first time I heard it, but I loved listening to it today and actually I listened to it yesterday as well.  One of my favorite quotes is "From the Lord's perspective, estblishing the finest homes has everything to do with the personal qualities of the people who live there.  These homes aren't made fine in any important or lasting way by their furniture or by the net worth or shocial status of the people who own them.  The finest characteristic of any home is the image of Christ reflected in the home's residents.  What matters is the interior design of the souls of the inhabitants not the structure itself. " He further goes on to talk about how we must reevaluate and renovate ourselves regularly to be Part of the finest homes.  Anyway, my large lifetime goals are to return to Heavenly Father with my children, but that is kind of a large abstract goal.  I need lots of little small attainable goals that help me reach that one ultimate goal.

When I was in college, I knew that I probably wouldn’t work outside the home.  I knew of course to be prepared for everything, you never know what life will throw at you, but I also knew that I really wanted be home for my kids.  I decided to pursue education because of how well it works with family life in the event that I would need to go to work.  I was really interested in teaching English as a second language because of my experiences with the many migrant workers that lived in our community.  There was definitely a huge divide between the migrants and others in our community and the biggest stumbling block was language.  I am really interested in language and how we can build unity in our communities through efforts to understand one another.  So I got my degree in Spanish teaching and teaching English as a second language.  I taught a few esl classes in New York from my house to Chinese speakers.  These were mainly conversational.  I also worked on my Spanish with my good friend Alicia Zambrano.  In Texas, Idaho, and Connecticut I really didn’t have time to do anything with my career goals/ambitions.  In Las Vegas, I was able to volunteer in the English classes for Cuban refugees for Catholic Charities.  I went once a week for 3 hours.  It was great.  I really liked it.  It was also interesting to hear the stories of those who had “escaped” to the US and to see how programs like that worked.  There were many flaws, but many successes for those who worked hard and wanted to succeed.  I really enjoyed that work and hope to be able to return to it sometime.

In England I tried hard to find something to do with refugees but was mainly unsuccessful.  I did have the seminary students make blankets that were then sent to France for the refugee camp there, and I did transport a van full of donations from a mosque in London to a charity outside of London so that they could get transported to France.  Those were the only times I did very much though.  However I did have a few Chinese ladies that I ministered to.  I helped one when she became homeless get into a new home and tried to help her renew her residency status.  It was pretty complicated though and we also worked on some English.  I enjoyed this, but was very unfamiliar with all the red tape involved in getting government help for the needy.  This led me to become interested in social work as well as English.

Here in Japan, my goals are to learn Japanese, get better at the piano, and get my diabetes/health under control.  I am taking a Japanese class once a week and I use duolingo pretty regularly.  I need to get into a better routine so that I study everyday.  But at the least I am meeting once a week for 45 minutes to study japanese.  I’m also trying to be a more consistent piano practicer.  Also, eating better and exercising.  I’m actually pretty good at the exercising.  I do it first thing in the morning which helps me get it done.  I try and practice in the evenings when the kids are cleaning up for dinner, but sometimes this is hard because Adam is just ready for bed and right now Justin has late nights every other day.  I’m just throwing Japanese in whenever...that’s why its not taking off perfectly.  Eventually when things go back to normal after corona, I hope to go to the English class that the elders teach to the Japanese people.  I went and helped once and it was great.  I’m also hoping to take over sister Jensen’s job which was to teach the kid’s English class while the adults are having their meeting.  Sort of a hybrid primary/nursery/school class.  I think I would really enjoy it.  And the timing would work with Adam.  I’ve looked a little into teaching English online, but haven’t found the right thing so far.

How’s that for a long weird rambly post about goals.  As for accomplishments, I was happily surprised the other day when I decided to run for PTO secretary that I actually had some things to write down as accomplishments.  Honestly it really helped build my self esteem to realize that I have accomplished some things while raising my family.  It was mostly callings I’ve held or volunteer work, but I know those things were hard and have a lot of merit and do good in the world so I was very proud to write them down and feel them as accomplishments.  This included primary president, young women’s president, cub master, bear leader, wolf leader, seminary teacher.  I think sometimes it’s good for me to remind myself of the value that these positions have in society.

Family history challenge. Day 2 describe yourself

SO I’m not really doing great at this 21 day challenge.  The days don’t have to be consecutive right?   Alright..here goes.  There are no rules about how long or short this is supposed to be so I will just write what I want.  It basically just says physically, mentally, spiritually, personality....so I’ll break it down according to the prompts.

Physically:  I am a 42 year old woman who has had 7 kids.  I was once very slender and though I don’t consider myself fat, could definitely stand to lose a few pounds or twenty especially throughout the middle.  I have blonde hair, which is still pretty blonde!  My husband likes to tease me that it is getting closer to brown, but I think it’s actually still a pretty nice color.  I don’t really have any gray that I notice, but being blonde it probably just blends in.  I used to get highlights fairly regularly but have quit doing that.  I like the thought of being more natural and saving the money, but I also sometimes wish I still got highlights or had a more flashy hairstyle.  My hair is shoulder length and stick straight.  It doesn’t hold a curl very well so my motivation to style it everyday is pretty weak.  I’m 5 ft. 7 in tall.  So a little above average on height.  My complexion is pretty white, though living in Okinawa is tanning me up a bit.  I’m just starting to see wrinkles and still kind of recovering from some pregnancy mask from my last baby.

I’m generally pretty healthy, but I do have diabetes.  I would never know it though if the doctor and my finger pricks didn’t tell me so.  I’ve never really experienced a high or low blood sugar.  Well maybe a low or 2, but nothing too dramatic besides being super hungry and a little shaky.  I run 3
-4 times a week to try and maintain my weight or lose and am stuck in that continual race trying to lose weight and outrun the disease that is just waiting behind the curtains.  I was able to get off of medication for a few months...but I feel like the next A1C is going to come back telling me to go back on.  But I guess that’s ok.  I dont need to be afraid of medicine, just need to do the best with my diet that I can.  That’s the tricky part.  I love to ride bikes and kayak in the ocean.  I’m grateful that my body lets me do all of these wonderful things and that I get to live on Okinawa and close to the ocean.

Mentally.  Does this include emotionally??  Mentally I think I’m still pretty sharp.  I always did well in school, but learning Japanese has proved more difficult than I thought.  I think it’s just because I don’t devote enough consistent time to it though.  Emotionally I’m kind of a wreck.  This last year, having a baby, moving across the world, sending my two oldest on missions, seeing them come home from COVID 19 and then reassigned and social distancing has done a number on my emotions.  I’m not in a bad place, just been feeling all the feels and my lucky husband gets to feel the brundt of it.  Good thing he is a patient soul.

Spiritually.  I have a strong testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ.  I know that he died for me and that he loves me.  This has gotten me through many difficulties.  I’m grateful and proud that my sons have both gone on missions and that they continue to serve the Lord in Las Vegas and San Diego.  As a family we are very active at church.  Justin has been in a bishopric for many years.  I’ve been working with the seminary program the last few years.  It’s a great place to be.

Personality.  Hmmmm....I try to do what’s right.  I love to laugh, but I’m not usually the one telling the jokes.  I think it’s important to help other people and serve others, but it’s also really important to have fun everyday.  I’m pretty patient and probably do more of the work at home than I should.  I’m kind of a child spoiler, but am learning to be more disciplined.  We’re all happier when everyone shares in the work and I’m not left to do it all.  I love people.  I can be kind of quiet, but I love to be around others.  I love music.  I haven’t spent the work on music that I need to to make myself happy, but I really enjoy singing and playing the piano.  I just need to work harder to reach mastery, or even tolerable music.  I love nature.  I love to hike, bike, kayak, and run.  This world is beautiful.  I love to sew and learn new things until it becomes work lol!  I’m usually pretty easygoing.  Though I’m learning that sometimes it’s good to have opinions and to take the lead...though I don’t love leadership and when I do decide to put my opinions out there I get pretty annoyed when everyone doesn’t think what I decided is amazing!  Just like everyone else I guess.  I’m pretty good at transitioning and getting used to new situations.  Like a chameleon I’m adaptable.  I love my kids and I’m grateful when we have good talks together.  They are all becoming amazing people.

Well,  I guess I checked all the boxes.  I could ramble on forever so I guess I’ll stop there.

21 day family history experiment

I joined a family history challenge and this is Day 1. I’m supposed to write a timeline of things that happened in my life for every year I was born.  Here goes:

1.  1977- I was born!

2.  1978-I turned 1

3.  1979- I turned 2

4.  1980- Danny was born, my St. Helens erupted

5. 1981- I almost drown in Utah when my cousin was babysitting.  Spent the night in the hospital.. might have been 82 though..

6.  1982- started kindergarten.  My teacher was mrs quandt.  I think this was also around the time my dad Lost his job.

7.  1983- mrs Roberts. I thought she was kind of mean.

8.  1984- mrs. Thompson meanest teacher yet...we had a boy in our class that ate pencils.  I remember her taking him into the hall often and hearing him scream.  We all thought he was being beaten, but probably not.  Played v at recess.  Herman weaselbear came to live v with us I think this year.

9.  1985- got baptized into the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Mrs. Foster best teacher ever.

10.  1986- 4th grade.  Mr. Roberts.  First report on Washington state

11.  1987- mr. Johnson jelly beans and President reports.  

12.  1988 mr Stevenson Shaun Saccari followed me around and told me he loved me all the time.  It was so embarrassing.  Big hair

13.  1989. Started middle school. Got my own room. Matt left for college.  Exchange student Katja.. shared a room.

14.  1990 8th grade. Was in the play body in the beach house and got the solo in choir.  

15.  1991. Started high school got contacts 

16. 1992 started drill team.  Also drama club crazy camp.  Maia graduated and left home

17.  1993  voted  junior class president.  Planned prom

18.  1994 went to state in track.  

19.  1995. Graduated high school, went to byu met Justin Rowberry 

20.  1996. Justin and Maia both left on missions.  Decided to Major in Spanish.

21.  1997.  Went on a study abroad to Mexico.... was a Mexican migrant worker.

22.  1998.  JUSTIN and Maia came home. I got married!

23. 1999. Joseph was born. Graduated college

24. 2000. Moved into the storage unit place.  Managed storage units

25.  2001.  John was born... moved to NYC for Justin’s med school.

26.  2002.  JUSTIN joined the Air Force.

27.  2003.  Samantha was born

28.  2004.  Boys started preschool.

29.  2005.  Nathan was born.  Moved to San Antonio.

30.  2006.  Got called to play the organ.  Night one so I could practice at home.

31.  2007. Michelle was born. 

32.  2008.  Moved to Idaho

33.  2009. Called as yw President

34. 2010. Moved to Connecticut.  Kate is born

35.  2011.  Sam and Michelle take dance at Joni’s.  Boys play soccer... I am cub master

36.  2012.  I helped with the school play school of rock John has the lead.

37.  2013.  Fellowship over.  Move to Vegas

38.  2014.  Primary president Start running with Brandi Paula and Sandra

39.  2015.  Run revel half marathon.  Play organ in church.  Justin in bishopric.

40.  2016.  Move to England Travel

41.  2017.  Justin becomes bishop.  I teach seminary

42.  2018.  I teach seminary. Booster club food van.  Joey graduates leaves on mission to Brazil

43.  2019.  Adam is born.  We move to Okinawa.  John graduates leaves on mission to Mexico

44. 2020- corona virus, boys come home Joey goes back out to Las Vegas.  John ?

Social distancing and homeschool March 29-4

This week was our first true week of social distancing.  It c was also the first full week of our missionaries being back in the states!  Hurray!  The beginning of the week was still full of uncertainty as we waited for John to get there from Mexico.  Also rules changed midweek. It really was an emotional roller Coaster waiting for word on how the church would handle their new assignments.  I have really struggled on deciding if we should have brought them here instead of Las Vegas.  For not they are in Vegas and I think it v is the best place for them.  I just miss them.  

Here are pictures of our first week social distancing.
Kate and Adam on a walk.  We pretty much went walking every day.

Michelle made onigiri for her Japanese culture class.  It was delicious!

Celebrating the last day of online school before spring break!   Home made pizzas and dungeons and dragons!!!  Using up the whey from our last batch of yogurt.   

Ishikawa Kogen observatory

With all of the temples of the world closed, and it being 7 months since we were able to go, we really wanted to have a peaceful spiritual temple like experience.  Prophets of old went to high places to pray, so one Sunday evening we decided to do the same.  It was a peaceful and beautiful hike.

Beach combing, caves, tunnels, and a little snorkeling at Senaha beach

Indiana Jones trail

Sunabe seawall and kens burritos, samanthas first voice lesson

March 20th corona virus

After a month or so of cautionary living, we have finally had our schools closed.  Social distancing is really starting and the anxiety of even thinking about entertaining everyone with no ability to invite friends is causing me to stress eat already and schools aren’t Closed until Monday!  I actually fluctuate between “ This is gonna be great” and panic hourly.  I actually am looking forward to extra time, but am also anxious about wasting it.  My plans include lots of hiking, going to the beach, watching some movies, deep cleaning, sewing, singing, making a cool lip sync video, swimming and exercising daily...I may have a few too many ideas....

The hard part is trying to decide how seriously to take the social distancing.  So far we’ve still been going v to restaurants... and nature.... and if course the commissary.  Also I’ve done a few things with friends, but not too much.  It just gets lonely.  Well, I’m sure we’ll be fine, but we’ll see! 

January 27

1.  I'm grateful for Facebook so I can talk to my loved ones over seas. 

2.  I'm grateful for bunnies and their crazy antics that give me funny stories to share.

3. I'm grateful for a brief chance to work on my talents and get a few necessities done on my checklist today.  

tunic refashion...picture 1.... starting work tomorrow.   

4. Scripture study  learning about victims... victim attitude. 

January 22nd

I'm thankful for

1. friends to climb stairs with and beautiful views

2.  Daughters to help fix bikes and watch babies and learning to drive

3.  Special time with Kate walking down to the bx. And keeping to my diet... no sugar cravings.... my diet Coke made me feel sick.

January 21st gratitude journal

Today I'm grateful for

 1. lazy days at home getting the honey do list done.  I usually want to be on an adventure,  but sometimes it's just nice to get things under control .

2.  Kids who will do face masks with me and watch the mandolorian.

3.  Adam learning to walk.   Official first steps today.    He also definitely had a preference for me today.   It will be annoying,  but sometimes it's just nice to be someone's favourite. 

4. Justin,  for doing b the honey do things around the house.   It's nice to have a project together and I'm grateful he can fix my messes...ie hammock,  bunny cages etc.

January 19th gratitude journal

Today is the start of my gratitude journal....3 thing I am thankful for today

1.  Not having many responsibilities at church so that when I had a sick child I didn't have to worry about not being available. 

2.  The new vegetable stand I found.  So my grocery bill is affordable.   Eating so many more vegetables is hard!  But delicious.   I feel pretty full. 

3.  Kate... even when sick she is a joy.   She made Dinner because she wanted to learn how to make it.   She also helped sing songs and entertain Adam.  She's the best. 

Thailand 12/26 zipline, doi suthep

On our first official day in Thailand we started out with a zipline tour with eagle zipline tours.  It was a full 3 hour zipline experience.  Adam of course was too young to go,  so he and I hiked around and explored a mountain village and some rice paddies. 

After the morning of hiking and zip lining, we headed up the mountain to a national park and market.  After that we visited doi suthep, a beautiful Buddhist temple.  It was a fantastic day!