Happy Box 2014

Last year I had ordered what the TVXQ fan club called a "Happy Box".

Basically it's a box full of items from the fan club that was left over in their stock.

This is a common practice in Japan in the new year to get rid of old stock and to clear out inventory. Stores put those items in a bag and it's called a "fukubukuro" in Japanese. The literal translation is "lucky bag". These bags are sold at a set price. Of course the total value of the contents in the "lucky bag" is more than the actual price of the bag. For example, if the price of the bag is 3,000yen the contents may be worth 5,000yen.

My "lucky box" or "happy box", as the fan club shop calls it, had 7 items in it.
1. Hoodie
2. 2012 concert tour T-shirt
3. Summer towel
4. Note book
5. Clear file folder (set of 2)
6. Mobile phone strap
7. Sunglass shaped photo frame

I was really excited about the first two since the TVXQ members wore the hoodie and t-shirt at their concerts and events too!! As for the towel, I already had one so that kinda was a bummer to get. The other items are useful so I was happy to get them though!!

How much was my "happy box", you ask? It was 6,900yen. But the total contents definitely are worth way more than that!!
I'm glad I got it♡♪

the "Happy Box" everything came in 

File folder, notebook, mobile phone strap and sunglasses shaped photo  frame (in pink box)

Hoodie, T-shirt, and summer version concert towel

2012 concert tour hoodie

2012 concert tour T-shirt

So far...

Hmm...
Of course it's too early to say anything but here it is!!

my first bag of gummy bears for this year and month

my first "slimy" food of the year

Japanese fried chicken called "karaage"

So like I wrote in my "resolutions and restrictions", these are the things I've done so far. 

I have only bought ONE bag of gummies so far.

I have eaten a banana for a snack today.

I made karaage for my lunch box. 

I have had many suggestions for other ways to eat other slimy foods.

One idea I got that I might try is making an okura, eggplant and chicken curry. 

The other slimy foods are probably too difficult for me still... 

Whole tomatoes are on my list to... 

As for last year's restrictions, I wasn't allowed to eat any Calbee products or drink any Mitsuya Cider. 

But now I can!!!! 

So here they are!!!!

I was so happy to have them!!!!

Now I have to be careful I don't go overboard with them... 

New Year's resolutions and restrictions for 2014

It's 2014 now...
2013 definitely flew by for me!! It was a great year for me with lots of fun and lots of achievements. 

Now, I have to think about 2014 and what I can strive for and what I can do to help myself.

So a recap of last year.
I had 3 main resolutions.
1) improve my physical condition
2) study Korean
3) cook more
I was able to do all three!! (clap, clap, clap!!!!)
I have been going to get treatments from my physiotherapist once every 3 to 4 weeks and my physical condition has improved considerably.
I took the Hangul proficiency test and got the 5th level (most basic).
I cooked a lot and made my lunch boxes for work too.

I had quite a few restrictions.
1) cannot eat any snacks from Calbee
2) cannot drink melon soda or Mitsuya cider
3) cannot buy any scarves (if I do I must get rid of the same amount I bought)
4) cannot buy any T-shirts
5) cannot buy any more hand towels (if I do I must get rid of the same amount I bought)
6) can only buy 16 items at most from Eddie Bauer
I was able to keep all to all of them!! (loud cheering!!)
I didn't eat or drink what I said I wouldn't.
I didn't buy a single scarf, T-shirt, or hand towel this year.
I only bought 2 items from Eddie Bauer. I actually didn't do much clothes shopping this year overall!

It was definitely a year of achievement for me!!
I have to say I'm quite proud of myself!!

So, for this year, I've come up with some new resolutions and restrictions with my good friends.

Here they are!!

RESOLUTIONS:
1) pass the level 4 test for the Hangul proficiency test
[extension of last year's resolution but with a clearer goal]
2) travel somewhere international
[hopefully Korea and Taiwan or Hong Kong]
3) start some sort of exercise with the advice of my physiotherapist
[was advised against doing active exercise by therapist until my muscles were in a more natural position]
4) try to get used to eating one of the slimy foods in the Japanese diet
[slimy foods are quite healthy]

RESTRICTIONS:
1) cannot order or buy karaage (Japanese style fried chicken pieces) but I can make them at home
[reason] I eat way too many plus they aren't healthy and I don't like deep frying at home so much
2) cannot buy any new novels (Japanese or English) unless it's a Kindle version
[reason] I have way too many novels already at home that I haven't touched yet
3) can only eat 2 bags of gummies per month
[reason] I eat way too many...

I think I can stick to my guns this year too.
I plan to continue the last 4 restrictions from last year too. I could stick by them for a year so I think I can stick by them without having to declare them any more.

I actually drank some melon soda the other day and it did absolutely nothing for me!! Lol!! To think a year ago I was pulling at my hair cause I couldn't drink any... The nostalgia has faded!!
Have yet to have a bottle of Mitsuya cider and a bag of Calbee potato chips though. I'll hit a convenience store on the way home!! Let's see how I'll react!!

So what are  your resolutions for this year?!?!