it's not life that matters but the journey...

Thanks to serialbathera, wolfpurplemoon and toadflax234 for the virtual big bear hugs on my profile page! I feel loved:)

We didn't do much today. Besides trying to stay warm - it was ridiculously cold and misty all day again - we just did some shopping and reorganizing the room - again. M's been on a quest for the perfect arrangement for our room so he can use his computer and play music. This was like the fourth rearrangement. But I think he's got it ... for now!

We found my favorite wine, Yellow Tail Shiraz, at the grocery store today, and bought a big bottle for really cheap! It tasted so good, with some pizza and cheese and crackers. We watched the movie Collateral with Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise. We'd seen it before, but it's always a fun one to watch - Tom Cruise is chillingly perfect as the evil bad guy. I think it was one of his last good roles.

Nothing planned for tomorrow, but that's fine with me. Oh but we have loads of laundry to do - yuck!

Oh I just remembered tomorrow is Valentine's Day... funny how after being married for nearly 10 years, I have little interest in a commercial holiday which is really just an excuse for people to boost the economy by buying each other chocolate and flowers and other expensive things. Of course you can always make it more meaningful, like the Japanese girls do, and make your own chocolate cakes and truffles for your loved one. I can't be bothered baking this year, though - too much trouble to figure out how to use the oven! And since we eat so much chocolate on a daily basis, it's silly to buy more just because it's a mandated holiday. I hated Valentine's Day when I was single - I mean who doesn't? But as a married person, I find it kind of silly - as are most holidays (except for Halloween, of course). I think it's much more valuable to give little gifts throughout the year, at unexpected times, to show your loved one you care. M and I do that for each other from time to time, so February 14th is really just another day! And besides, here in Japan, they even go so far as to split Valentine's Day into two holidays. On February 14th, girls are supposed to buy gifts (usually chocolate) for their guys. But then girls must wait until March 14th, which is what the Japanese call "White Day" - that's when the guys buy chocolate (or other gifts) for their girls. The chocolate companies make lots of money with not just one, but two holidays for lovers. Too bad there are not more industries profiting (lingerie or sex toy shops, for example)... I don't think those kinds of shops are too prominent here in Japan, where people may be very into sex behind their closed doors, but they certainly won't talk about it. hush hush!

Anyway, for an explanation of Valentine's and White Day, here's a couple links: http://www.tanutech.com/japan/valentine.html
and of course wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Day

But enough of my rambling. For all you guys and gals out there who love Valentine's Day, I do hope it's a very romantic day. And for those of you who are single, or who hate the holiday, I say buy enough chocolate for yourself (or your single friends), rent "My Bloody Valentine" (cause it has Jensen Ackles, why not?) and indulge!

*smooches*

that's all for now.