It has grown on me!: 11/2014

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Christmas Tree Decorating 2014

Today, my husband and I decorated this huge Christmas tree in our living room. This artificial tree, which we purchased last year, is taller than us! :)

We put up this Starbucks 2014 California ornament to our tree. :) This ornament is released at Starbucks stores in California only.

Christmas is just around the corner!

Saturday, November 29, 2014

NYX Butter Gloss - CVS Black Friday Haul

NYX makes pretty affordable cosmetics and is popular cosmetic brand in the U.S., but I believe that they didn't use to sell their products at drug stores. I had only seen them at Ulta before. Since this year, I have seen NYX cosmetics at CVS. I was pretty surprised about that at first and hoped to purchase their cosmetics some day because CVS often offers pretty good deals. :)
I found that CVS was selling NYX lip products for $3.88 at one of their Black Friday deals. In addition, they gave a $3 CVS Extrabucks coupon with purchasing a NYX lip product. Which means that it would be like $0.88! The original price of NYX lip gloss is $4.99, so this Black Friday sale was a super great deal. :)

CVS Black Friday Deal

I went to CVS and chose this NYX Butter Gloss, BLG 05 Cream Brulee. This color is very subtle pink nude color. It is not too sticky and moisturizes my lips well. It smells like sweet candy. :) I like it!

NYX Butter Gloss BLG 05 Cream Brulee

This is my previous entries related to drugstore shopping.

http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/drugstore%20shopping

My entries related to beauty can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/beauty

Friday, November 28, 2014

Kohl's Black Friday Sale - Haul

My husband and I went to Kohl's to see their Black Friday Sale this morning. When we we arrived there at at 10 a.m., people walked into Kohl's continuously. Their big Black Friday Sale would end at 1 p.m., so I think that many people rushed into Kohl's to get good deals like us. Despite of Black Friday, the inside store was not too crowded, and we were able to enjoy our shopping like always we do. When we headed toward the checkout counters at 12 p.m., they had the longest lines we have ever seen. However, all their 16 registers ran full out to check out as fast as possible and lines moved little by little. Actually, the waiting time was shorter than we expected. We probably waited in lines for 10 minutes or so. I thought that Kohl's handled their Black Friday Sale very well. :) I took my 15% off coupon to Khol's today. That made my shopping sweeter. :) Anyway, I'm going to share what I got there with you.

Since I love scarves so much, their scarves caught my eye. There were so many kinds of scarves there, and I finally chose this blue and purple flower printed scarf. This Apt. 9 scarf was originally $20, but I bought this for $6.79.

I bought these printed microfleece pajama pants for $5.94. These pants are warm and cozy. These were originally $20.

Even though I love boots so much and wear boots many times during fall and winter season, I hadn't bought boots for years. That's why I wanted to get new ones at this Black Friday Sale. I bought these black ankle boots for $16.99. These were originally $69.99.

I also bought these brown riding boots for $16.99. These were originally $89.99.

To me, blankets are must have items to stay warm and cozy during cold season. I bought the Big One Super-Soft Plush Throw for $7.64. This was originally $39.99.

In addition, we bought more of stuffs there today, and Kohl's were offering a $15 Khol's Cash Coupon for every $50 spent. We ended up getting a $105 Khol's coupon! We will go there again to use the coupon next week. :)

My entries related shopping can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/shopping

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

My husband and I cooked the roast turkey as annual Thanksgiving dinner! :)

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

The Last Day of The Class

Today was the last day of my Terminology class, and I finally took the final exam. I was studying very hard for it, and now I am very tired. I think I scored great. I can't wait see my grade for this class. :)

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Starbucks Japan - City Tumbler - Kobe

Kobe is one of the biggest cities in Japan and is the capital city of Hyogo prefecture. While I was living in Nara and Osaka for 11 years in total, I visited Kobe for sightseeing many times, such as Meriken Park, Chinatown, Kitano Ijinkan. :) While my husband was on a business trip in Japan, he bought this Starbucks Kobe tumbler. I'm going to share this Kobe tumbler with you today.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Kobe

This picture is Kobe Port Tower, which is located in Meriken Park.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Kobe

Kobe is known as a port city, so you can see some huge ferries from Meriken Park.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Kobe

Kobe Maritime Museum, which has outstanding roof design, is also located in Meriken park.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Kobe

The district of these exotic buildings is called Kitano Ijinkan. Ijinkan means foreigners residences. When the port of Kobe opened, people started building these foreigners' houses in 1869. Now, this area is one of popular sightseeing spots in Kobe.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Kobe

This is Mosaic Ferris wheel, which is located in Kobe Harborland.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Kobe

You can go up to mountain with aerial lift and enjoy beautiful night city views of Kobe.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Kobe

Starbucks Japan - Tumblers

These are my entries related to Starbucks Japan tumblers.

Starbucks Okinawa Tumbler

Starbucks Hiroshima Tumbler

Starbucks Kobe Tumbler

Starbucks Kyoto Tumbler

Starbucks Nagoya Tumbler

Starbucks Japan Airport Special Edition Tumbler

Stabucks Japan Nagano Tumbler

Starbucks Yokohama Tumbler

Starbucks Tokyo Tumbler

Starbucks Sendai Tumbler

Starbucks Hokkaido Tumbler

Starbucks Tokyo Haneda Airport Tumbler

        My entries related to Starbucks Japan can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks%20Japan

      My entries related to my Starbucks US collections can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks%20mugs

      My entries related to Starbucks can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks

     My entries related to Japan can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Japan

Monday, November 24, 2014

Starbucks Japan - City Tumbler - Hiroshima

As I mentioned in my previous entries, my husband bought some Starbucks local tumblers in Japan. This Starbucks local tumbler, Hiroshima, is one of them. When I was 13, I went to Hiroshima for a school trip for the first time, and we went to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Genbaku Dome. As you might know, Hiroshima is the first city in history to be targeted by a nuclear bomb. As the result of the atomic bombing, 90,000 to 160,000 people in Hiroshima died that year. I saw many movies related to World War II that many people who were close to the epicenter of the Hiroshima atomic-bomb blast became ash and disappeared in seconds by atomic bombing. Furthermore, many people also died from burns suffered over their entire bodies or leukemia. Although I had seen many photos related to atomic bombing every summer at school in Japan since I was 6, I was a little scared to see the exhibits at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum because I was still too young. If I have a chance to go to Hiroshima, I would like to visit there once again.

I don't know if you know about Hiroshima other than that. Hiroshima has so many beautiful places to see and many delicious foods, such as momiji manjyu and Hiroshima okonomiyaki. :) I'm going to share this Hiroshima tumbler with you.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Hiroshima

Many years ago, my husband and I went to Hiroshima using Seishun 18 Ticket, a special discount train ticket during a limited period in Japan, from Osaka. We wanted to go to Miyajima, which is also called Itsukushima. This picture is the Itsukushima Shrine, which is well known for its floating torii gate. When the tide is low, it is approachable by foot from the island. This is one of must go to places in Hiroshima.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Hiroshima

Hiroshima Toyo Carp is a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Hiroshima

Hiroshima is famous for momiji manjyu, a maple leaf-shaped sponge cake containing bean paste. My friends from Hiroshima often gave me momiji manjyu as their souvenirs. It was so good! :)

This picture is Shimanami Kaido, Nishiseto Expressway. I have never driven there though.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Hiroshima

Starbucks Japan - Tumblers

These are my entries related to Starbucks Japan tumblers.

Starbucks Okinawa Tumbler

Starbucks Hiroshima Tumbler

Starbucks Kobe Tumbler

Starbucks Kyoto Tumbler

Starbucks Nagoya Tumbler

Starbucks Japan Airport Special Edition Tumbler

Stabucks Japan Nagano Tumbler

Starbucks Yokohama Tumbler

Starbucks Tokyo Tumbler

Starbucks Sendai Tumbler

Starbucks Hokkaido Tumbler

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Starbucks Japan - City Tumbler - Hokkaido

Last month, my husband bought this Starbucks locally limited tumbler, Hokkaido, in Japan. This tumbler is available at Starbucks branches in Hokkaido, Japan. If truth be told, you can also buy some local tumblers and mugs at Narita airport, so he bought this there. :) Before moving to U.S. in 2008, my husband and I traveled and drove through Hokkaido, which is the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectures. Hokkaido has many delicious foods such as fresh fish, ramen and sweets and many places to see beautiful scenery. We went to Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa, Wakkanai, Abashiri and Furano. Many my friends of nursing school were from Hokkaido such as Sapporo, Ishikari, Kitami and Obihiro, so I often heard about Hokkaido from them and got Hokkaido souvenirs from them after long vacations. That's why I was pretty familiar with the foods and name of the places in Hokkaido. :) Anyway, I'm going to share this Starbucks Hokkaido tumbler with you.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Hokkaido

This black map is Hokkaido.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Hokkaido

Even though Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's prefectures and the coolest region in Japan, there is no wild polar bear obviously. However, there is the most famous and popular zoo, Asahikawa Zoo, in Hokkaido, and polar bear became symbolic animal of Hokkaido.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Hokkaido

When I was 16, I also went to Hokkaido for school trip in winter. What we did in Hokkaido was only skiing for four days. There was snow as far as the eye could see. I remembered that the texture of the snow was very dry because of extreme coldness.

Starbucks Japan - Tumbler - Hokkaido

These are my entries related to Starbucks Japan tumblers.

Starbucks Okinawa Tumbler

Starbucks Hiroshima Tumbler

Starbucks Kobe Tumbler

Starbucks Kyoto Tumbler

Starbucks Nagoya Tumbler

Starbucks Japan Airport Special Edition Tumbler

Stabucks Japan Nagano Tumbler

Starbucks Yokohama Tumbler

Starbucks Tokyo Tumbler

Starbucks Sendai Tumbler

Starbucks Hokkaido Tumbler

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - USPS Forever Stamps

Yesterday, in addition to purchasing Global Holiday Forever Stamps, I bought these two sheets of forever stamps, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, at the post office. These are the cutest holiday stamps ever!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - USPS Forever Stamps

Issue Date:

November 06, 2014

Art Director/Designer:

Greg Breeding

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - USPS Forever Stamps

My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Global Silver Bells Wreath - USPS Global Forever Stamps

Today, I went to a post office and finally purchased these Global Holiday stamps, Global Silver Bells Wreath, which can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country. These were ones I had always wanted to get since last month! I also wanted to purchase some original Global Stamps (not Holiday one) for after holiday season, but the staff of the post office told me that they only have holiday ones currently. As I expected, the post office was very crowded with many customers. It's in the midst of the holiday season now! :)

Global Silver Bells Wreath - USPS Global Forever Stamps

Issue Date:

October 23, 2014

Art Director/Designer:

William J. Gicker, Michael Owens

Global Silver Bells Wreath - USPS Global Forever Stamps

My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Busiest Days

My Terminology class will end next Wednesday, and I'm going to take the quiz and final exam, which will cover the entire textbook. Even though it's not hard for me to understand those vocabularies since I have medical knowledge, it's pretty hard for me to write those meaning in English because English is my second language. In addition, I want to study for those pronunciation even though those are not on the quiz nor final exam. It's because I determined that studying pronunciation was my priority for this year. That's why I need to make a great effort for the exam for a while. Beside that, I'm very busy this month and still need to do many things every day. I sometimes think I cannot handle all of them, but I will do my best!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Photo ID for Cold Medicine

       Today, I went to RiteAid to buy cold medicine. When I purchased it, I was required to swipe my ID. I had never been asked my ID for purchasing cold medicine before, so I was pretty surprised about that. According to FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the sale of cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine is limited to behind the counter. The amount of pseudoephedrine that an individual can purchase each month is limited and individuals are required to present photo identification to purchase products containing pseudoephedrine. In addition, stores are required to keep personal information about purchasers for at least two years. Pseudoephedrine is a drug found in both prescription and over-the-counter products used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, hay fever, and other respiratory allergies. It can also be used illegally to produce methamphetamine. My cold medicine doesn't contain pseudoephedrine but does phenylephrine, which is marketed as an alternative for the decongestant pseudoephedrine.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Taylor Swift - Shake It Off

These days, I have often seen this album, 1989 by Taylor Swift at so many different stores, such as Target and Walmart. This album was released on October 27 this year, and my husband finally bought it at Starbucks last week. Since then, we have listen to this CD every night.

1989 (Taylor Swift album)

Many songs in this CD are very popular. She sings very uptempo pop songs in this album, especially Shake It Off.

Taylor Swift - Shake It Off

Lyrics

I stay out too late
Got nothing in my brain
That's what people say, mmm-mmm
That's what people say, mmm-mmm

I go on too many dates [chuckle]
But I can't make them stay
At least that's what people say, mmm-mmm
That's what people say, mmm-mmm

But I keep cruising
Can't stop, won't stop moving
It's like I got this music
In my mind
Saying, "It's gonna be alright."

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off

I never miss a beat
I'm lightning on my feet
And that's what they don't see, mmm-mmm
That's what they don't see, mmm-mmm

I'm dancing on my own (dancing on my own)
I make the moves up as I go (moves up as I go)
And that's what they don't know, mmm-mmm
That's what they don't know, mmm-mmm

But I keep cruising
Can't stop, won't stop grooving
It's like I got this music
In my mind
Saying, "It's gonna be alright."

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off

Shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

Hey, hey, hey
Just think while you've been getting down and out about the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world,
You could've been getting down to this sick beat.

My ex-man brought his new girlfriend
She's like "Oh, my god!" but I'm just gonna shake.
And to the fella over there with the hella good hair
Won't you come on over, baby? We can shake, shake, shake

Yeah ohhh

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate (haters gonna hate)
I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break (mmmm)
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake (and fake, and fake, and fake)
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off

Shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

Shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

Shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (you've got to),
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

This is my entries related to my favorite songs.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/songs

Monday, November 17, 2014

Starbucks Japan - City Tumbler - Okinawa

My husband bought this Starbucks Okinawa tumbler in Japan last month. Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture in Japan. We traveled Naha in Okinawa over 10 years ago. Okinawa has many unique foods, such as umi-budo, meaning "sea grapes" in Japanese. We had umi-budo for our first time there. We also had soki-soba, which is Okinawa soba, and chevon. Then, while we were living in Osaka, we loved to go a Okinawa restaurant, ti-anda.