Taco Bell!!

Ok, now I know that probably shouldn't be a title of a blog, but I'm just so excited about it that it's just the way life is right now :) Today was a regular day or at least regular in Japan ;) and honestly the idea of routine really helps me feel homey or at least not homesick! Anyway, good day with the kids no major mishaps and being able to talk to people from home all weekend makes the beginning of the week feel good too! (Yea for phone calls to Aimee and Jameo...he and I had quite the squealing chat and I actually got Tash to pick up the phone ;) hee hee) Anyway, back to today...after school we finally made our classroom direct order (butcher paper is coming my way people...watch for human bodies in a few months!) and as we were ordering I thought of a couple other things that normally I would run to the store and pick up...yes, I often forget I am in Japan and there is no running to anything that I need for my classroom. So Lori (Kindy teacher) asks what we're doing and since it's nothing pressing, we are going on base to the BX. FUN! So we get signed on - no problem - follow them to the gate in our car and hand the guy our paper and boy was he confused! Alison Marie and Adrienne Marie were a little to close and he thought we were checking in one person and I finally explained we have the same middle name OHHHHH...yes, 2 people, 2 names, 2 last names, but the As and the Maries really through him for a loop...I laughed :) poor guy! Anway, we finally made it on and to the BX...we hadn't seen any shopping, just housing, OH MY! They have one store with all the sections you can think of...it's like Target, a department store, electronics, brand names (I like that Coach purses were right next to Wet and Wild make up which was next to Este Lauder...the whole thing was one mismatched thing next to another) Adrienne and I wandered around with Izzie and Carolyn pulling on our arms as we stared in wonderment at all the things we could read and recognize - I'd be happy to move in if they'd let me :) We weighed ourselves because both of our pants are looser but we're not sure if we lost weight or if it's because we can't dry our clothes...anway, we saw scales for sale so we decided to put them on the floor to weigh ourselves...let's just say the Japan diet is awesome! 10 pounds in 6 weeks :) I know it has a lot to do with no soda and not much eating out...and less milk products I'm sure helps too...I may be a recovering dairy addict... Anyway, Lori asked if we were hungry, yes we were getting there, would we like to go to Taco Bell? YES!!! AHHH....can I just say I missed Taco Bell? I know it's not super exciting, but it was so good - we ordered extra to have for lunch tomorrow AND we got to use our debit cards :) Such excitement - anway, the whole outing was fun, and the company entertaining...a very homey little trip :) I'm realizing I've used a lot of happy faces in this blog and am finding that amusing - but I think it reflects well with the evening - lots of chatter (in English!), lots of giggles, and a sense of peacefulness...normal perhaps? OH, and I was cold inside Taco Bell for the first time ummm, who knows the last time I was cold, over 6 weeks ago for sure! Okey dokey, off to read and get ready for bed - love to all of you out there (make a comment if you're reading this...I like comments, and certain individuals read this to often to not be making comments...you know who you are!)