Around Forty, looks like Twenties.

Around Forty, in short, Ara Four means a person is 36 to 44.

“OMG I’ll be around forty next year!”
Women under 35 is very tough position, either you’re married or not married. 

“Obasan” means middle aged women in Japanese. Also pronounce the same as aunt. Most women can’t accept the fact you will be called this way. 

20 years ago, above 30 is considered Obasan. Now though, because of so many both famous and unknown ordinary women keep themselves look young changes images of over thirty still young and beautiful. 

You can look pretty good in thirties no problem but how about in 40’s? Around 40 is the challenging time for women.

Especially in Japan, age matters. Women around thirty is getting nervous about whether if she will get married by early thirty or at least build a certain relationship to be married and have family together, well, sounds like kind of similar everywhere though.

Because of long recession, its harder for young people to have good paying job in Japan. again, sounds like world’s problem in the U.S or Europe. People get paid so little to even barely make a living for himself, so hard to have traditional housewife and one kid or two kids. 

Not only women facing tough time, Mens too.

Around the world, for the people around 40, life is tough, that’s how I feel. You imagined your future bright when you were young. Living in a dream big house, jobs are great, have a wonderful spouse and kids, maybe a dog or two. 

I see some people especially men facing the “mid life crisis” 

Look at your reality, the rent and house is too expensive, you got paid so little to even get by, you fight your spouse bi weekly over money. Your kids isn’t so bright just like you were.. It shouldn’t be this way. I could be better. I deserve better job or women (with bigger boobs / implant one is better). 

I know at least two people who is facing marriage crisis for this reason. 

You are not young forever, and people Around 40’s are facing parent’s end of the life. You need to be responsible and think about your own retirement.

That’s around 40, its the wake up time for the brighter life Around 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90. or even 100.

Great Skin Care Cream.

My gut is boiling with anger.

Harawata ga niekurikaeru. means My gut is boiling.

This is  a Japanese expression.

Harawata is intestine. There are so many expression to connect intestine and emotion. I read some articles about intestine health and mental health is closely connected.

My son's scooter (not a razor, pro scooter, its expensive) was stolen by the same elementary school boy. My son and his friend were inside a seven eleven and they noticed my son's scooter was taken by a boy and his older brother. They rushed outside and chased them but they lost them after the first left at the end of the block. My son cried so much and came home. I went with them to search for the boy and tried to find where they were, but no luck.

We came back home and called police. They'll look into the camera.

I hope my son's scooter is coming back soon.

Bring good Qi with Sun Catcher

I read about sun catcher on somebody's blog and I wanted one too so I ordered on Amazon.

I like my apartment but one of the flaw is not getting sun shine.  I read about sun catcher and it says it brings in good luck by putting in a dark area or bring in rainbow when the sun shines.

My sun catcher. Sun shine through only after 4:00 PM



and there's small rainbow everywhere in my house!




It's nice to have one!

I

Open Your Chakra

I like spiritual things.

I have taken Reiki 1st, 2nd, and third. I used to practice Yoga.

I made this Chakra mark and colors straight on a center of the t-shirts/goods design to help clearing chakras.

 Chakra is "Qi" = power flow There are seven chakras in each person.

 Let's see what each chakras stands for..

•  Root Chakra (Red) Represents Vitality / locates at butt. (*^_^*) 
• Sacral Chakra (Orange) Partnership / locates at lower abdomen under navel button 
• Solar Plexus Chakra (Yellow) willpower / upper abdomen 
• Heart Chakra (green) self-love, kindness, and respect / Chest 
• Throat Chakra (Light blue) Communication / Throat
• Throat Third Eye Chakra (Indigo Blue) seeing - both inner and outer worlds / Between Eyes 
• Crown Chakra (Violet) connects to the universe / Top of the head Open Your Chakra

Open Your Chakra T-shirts and goods are now available!

http://www.cafepress.com/peacewings/14578447

This worked for my ear popping

I introduced the product that helped my allergy in here.

This worked for my allergy

The same thing helped for my ear popping on the airplane.

I sometimes have terrible ear popping when the airplane is landing. I once or twice had a terrible headache and didn't have no idea where that was coming from at first. I saw other people were just excited to see houses or building below so I knew it wasn't poisonous gas or something. when I found out that was just an ear popping, I was shocked. My headache did went away as soon as the plane landed.

When I went to Japan recently and finally the plane was going to land, I hear babies on the plane starting to cry. I thought "Poor babies they might have going thru like I was" but my sympathy went away as soon as I was feeling bad ear popping.

I usually carry some homeopathy remedies in my bag so I tried some that might helped me, but it didn't. I remembered about this allergy spray so I tried. Surprisingly, my ear felt clear. I wish I knew about this spay years ago.

Beautiful Witches over 40

In Japan, women over 40 but look young and beautiful are called "BiMajo" means "Beautiful Witches" There are lots of them not only on TV but everywhere in Japan.

I want to be one of them but I was kind of lazy to take care of my skin so hard and spend money. I turned 44 recently and I used to asked for my ID when I buy wine or beer but not recently.  I need to stop and rewind my clock now, so I am using this

Cray mask. After doing this, I can tell my skin has more moisture. You just mix cray powder and apple cider vinegar, using plastic bowl and spoon, same amount, I put one table spoon plus each. I leave about 20 min. and rinse. You'll see redness on your face here and there after doing this, but it will disappear.

Zumba Zumba!

I sometimes go to Zumba with my friend on Saturday morning.

My daughter and my friend's daughter both go to Saturday Japanese school in the morning. Their class is only for 3 hours and there's happened to be right near by this Zumba studio so we decided to try. My friend goes fitness club and does zumba every now and then and she told me how cool Zumba is. I wouldn't go by myself if anybody asked me, but I gave it a try.

I used to do some Jazz dance when I was young but recently I haven't done any dancing or workout for a while. I prefer Yoga (slow and relaxing you know)

There are all kind of generation in the class, from early 20s to early 70sh.. Some people have weights on their hands.

As we paid entrance fee, I asked "Who's the teacher?" and the late 40's looking woman said "Me."

My friend and I looked at each other because she didn't look like she can dance, but she can! She moved tirelessly, the whole an hour without stopping.

The music was so loud and the first try was very hard for me.. After a few songs / dancing, I was ready to lay down, but it's more than half way to go!

Finally after little over an hour, slower music is played and that's the cool down / stretching move.

I was exhausted but sure was fun and refreshing. I wish they offer Yoga too. (their price is very good)

They wear Zumba wear. I guess it's very popular in Zumba world.

Good bye Cable TV!

We canceled our Cable TV from Time Warner Cable (Now called Spectrum) a month ago.

We were paying about $160 a month for Internet, Cable TV with HD Recorder, and home phone (which we didn't even use)

My husband watch some basket ball games and some racing and I used to record Japanese news show that airs in the morning, but otherwise, we would watch Netflix or Amazon Prime TV for kids show.

One month after cutting off cable TV, My husband (who watches TV the most) doesn't seem like bothered by not having Cable TV. I guess there's lots of options in this digital world.

I don't miss Japanese TV show since I can read yahoo news in Japanese. Its better for me that I don't  have to waste an hour to watch it.

We only pay for the internet and saved about $100 a month.

Honestly, there were hundreds of channels on the cable but I didn't find shows that I was interested.

In Japan, there are 6 major channels and not many people subscribe to Cable TV, we would use HD recorder to record shows and I wish there's something similar in here too. (for the antenna TVs) There might be one but I don't have knowledge or energy to research.




I watch lots of shows from Netflix.



Good old TV Antenna.

Using Cloth Napkins (Moon Cycle)

I'm using cloth napkins for my period.

I started using them about 3 years ago because I heard that's good for your body. Usual paper (or plastic) napkins uses toxic chemicals and female delicate zone will absorb toxic chemicals inside and will affect on your PMS or bad menopause later.

Some of my friends in Japan had already using cloth napkins and they say it really improved their PMS or other unpleasant conditions such as : too much discharge.

From my experience,  I used have long period, continued like 10 days! or a little off cycle like sometimes every 29 or 32 or 35. but after I started using cloth napkins, my period shortened to 7 days and it came around 30 days. I wish it shortened to 5 days though.

Yes It's pretty disgusting to wash it. You need to deal with a lot of blood, and you need to wash it by hand. You can't just throw it in a washing machine, but I don't want to deal with bad menopause later and I want healthy body so I have to bear it.

For some times I need to go out when it's heavy flow, I am using organic cotton disposable ones. Maybe thats good for anybody who doesn't want to deal with washing cloth napkins or toxic chemicals.

For the sleepless night - Valerian - Passion Flower - Oat Seed - Extract

I have trouble sleeping every now and then. Thinking about relationships, money, future, kids, or vague anxiety. I need to sleep because I have to wake up at a certain time for work, fix kids lunch box, prepare breakfast, do this and that tomorrow.

Whenever I feel that I usually use this Valerian extract (ease anxiety and let you sleep well), Passion Flower extract, (to stop endless thought) and Oat Seed extract (for stress)

I used these 3 herb extract mixture to my son who couldn't sleep well because of fear, nightmare, anxiety. I use Passion Flower and Oat seed mixture to him in the morning. Seems like it works for him too.

I drop about 10 drops each to a small amount of water and drink. For my son (10) I gave 5 drops each.

1) Valerian Extract (ease anxiety and let you sleep well)



2) Passion Flower Extract (to stop endless thought)

 
3) Oat Seed extract (to help with stress)

Pain Pain Go Away - Arnica -

What are you gonna do if you have a back pain or neck pain all the sudden?

I am 44 years old so like other people my age, I get back pain or shoulder pain every now and then. I put on Arnica gel and suck on arnica remedy few times a day. It always works for me!

I see these Arnica everywhere now at super market and drug store. I saw Sunday paper coupon too! It works good on me, and can use them with ease since they are not using harsh chemical.




Above is Arnica gel.





You put this under the tongue and melt. taste just like a candy.

This worked for my allergy!

We finally had a good rainy season after 5 years (?) of drought in California. The flowers are blooming and trees are green, its very beautiful right now, but at the same time, its the season of suffering for people with pollen allergy.

I have an asthma and severe allergy with dust / pollen. I always had hard time breathing at this time. I had better year because I saw a homeopath 2 years in a row to help with my asthma. This year though, I had itchy skin instead. 

At first, I thought this eczema looking bumps will disappear soon, but the bumps spread around my abdomen area and around neck more than 2 weeks and getting worse!

I went to Sprouts (natural super market) and tried out this homeopathic remedy spray that I have been curious about. Over night, I felt my bumps got less itchy and by the next day, It seemed not red (I wish I took some picture! I didn't expect that I could improve this fast.) It's been less than 1 month since I got the first one and I gave it to my son and daughter that suffer from allergy like me (mostly with sneezing and itchy eye) I went to Sprouts again but its all gone. (I recommended to my friends)

For pacific coast They have products that covers all U.S.A area. (East coast, south east and so on)

For West Coast